Wouldn’t the F/A-18 save some money somewhere given its commonality (spares, training, tires, …something) to the existing Hornets? 

Or does “a million hete, a million there”, not mean anything in a buy this large? 

Also, when the Canadians bought their last fighters, (when I was a kid) I recall someone answering the question of if they were going to buy any attrition replacements, by saying  ” No, if we need more we’ll get free used ones from the Americans”.

If that is still an official stance, wouldn’t they want the Super Hornet?