Pilot Error: Why the F-35 stealth fighter is wrong for Canada

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.