Canada picks F-35 as preferred Hornet fighter replacement

Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) has chosen to take the Lockheed Martin F-35A Joint Strike Fighter over the Saab Gripen E into the “finalisation phase” of its programme to procure 88 fighters as replacements for the Royal Canadian Air Force’s (RCAF’s) fleet of CF-18 Hornets. Announcing the decision on March 28, Canadian Procurement Minister Filomena Tassi announced that, in its “most significant defence investment in 30 years”, the Canadian government had decided to move forward with direct negotiations with