Pilot Error: Why the F-35 stealth fighter is wrong for Canada
Written by: Steven Staples
Date: 14 October 2010
Key Findings
- Canada does not need the F-35 Lightning II either for North American/domestic roles or for expeditionary roles.
- The Canadian government should not proceed with the planned procurement of the F-35.
Instead, Canada should:
- curtail the expeditionary role for Canadian fighter aircraft;
- stretch the life of Canada’s existing CF-18 fleet by restricting the aircraft to North American/domestic air surveillance and control role;
- investigate the acquisition of the next generation of unarmed long-range, long-endurance pilotless aircraft; and
- use the money saved by the above measures to contribute to Canadian and global security in more effective ways.
Reference:
Staples, Steven. Pilot Error: Why the F-35 stealth fighter is wrong for Canada. Foreign Policy Series. Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, October 2010.
