Friday, July 23, 2010

Why We Need New Fighter Jets

When our existing fleet of fighter jets start breaking down and crash landing while practicing for air shows, then perhaps it is time to start thinking about ordering some new equipment for our pilots. Today's crash landing in Lethbridge, where a plane stalled in flight forcing the pilot to eject, should signal to Canadians that we had better buy some new jets. Wait, we already have? Outstanding. Can we ask Lockheed to speed up that first delivery?

Thankfully the pilot only sustained minor injuries.


Earlier this month I asked the question:

DO YOU THINK THE CANADIAN AIR FORCE NEEDS NEW FIGHTER JETS?

Yes (96%)
No (4%)

Votes: 206


9 comments:

  1. I understand, to a certain extent, some of the objections to the purchase of the F-35.

    Not that I oppose the purchae of the F-35. Rather, I'm all for it.

    The F-35 is a splendid Fighter/Bomber unit, optimized for ground support. Truth be told, the Lightning II is really more Harrier than Lightning. Which is fantastic for supporting troops on the ground.

    I would like to see this purchase coupled with the purchase of some Eurofighter Typhoons.

    I think the better decision would have been to purchase 60 Typhoons, and 30 F-35s.

    Other than that, I'm all for this.

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  2. While I agree Canada needs new jets, it's a little too early to tell whether the stall was because of malfunction or simply because the move being pulled dragged too much air out of the engine. Stalls are typical for jet aerial acrobatics.

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  3. The crash happened today...the investigation will happen and a year from now we will learn what really happened.

    A stall? Are you sure? Maybe it was a bird?

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  4. With our troops in combat, I would like to see them supported from the air with an AC such as the A-10 Warthog.

    I am sure there are excess aircraft in the U.S to be bought very inexpensively..even their Air National Guard flies them..

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  5. Patrick Ross.. The Euro fighter is just that European. We would become dependent on service and parts from across the big pond not just the 49th.

    Rob C

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  6. CANADA BOUGHT INTO THE F-35 PROGRAM - why would we flush away good $$$'s on Eurofighters - superior air superiority fighters? -- doubtful and certainly unproven.

    Michael St.Paul's

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  7. All I can think of is what a disaster it was that the helicopter purchase was cancelled by Jean Chretien. Let's not that mistake again. Lives depend on these decisions.

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  8. We already have an example of politics vs substance being played. The term cadillacs has been used before by the opposition.

    I agree with Ignatieff that we can't trust the herbivores to defend us. The herbivores prefer to talk and have numerous fact finding mission to discuss the problem.

    Haiti vs Indonesia Disaster Relief is proof positive. (Strategic Lift)

    We bought air taxis from France instead and was forced to rent a Russian plane to sent D.A.R.T.

    Ignatieff was correct in 2005 when he chastised Liberalism in the world for not paying the note and having to turn the US and Britain to stop genocide.

    This is just another example of rhetoric or hot air from the opposition with this decision.

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  9. The CF 18 is a solid aricraft but it is very sophisticated. Ther real question is what kind of enemy will we face in the next 25 years. We currently have superior technology to any potential enemy. We are likely going to be dealing with failed states and they do not even have an air force. So, is spending $20 BILLION necessary? No, it is not. We need helicopters to move the army around much more than single seat fighters aircraft.

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