Canada’s Associate Defence Minister Julian Fantino last week dismissed as “speculation” reports the government is planning to purchase armed unmanned aircraft as the F-35 programme continues to encounter delays and cost overruns.
But with U.S. and industry officials admitting this week the stealth fighters will cost more than expected and the Conservative government indicating its plan to buy the jets is coming off the rails, a debate is bubbling over whether Canada should hold out for UAS.
A story in the National Post last week reported the government is preparing to tender a contract for around six unmanned aircraft, such as the $30-million U.S.-made Reaper, as problems continue to plague development of the F-35.
The Canadian military has operated unarmed UAS in Afghanistan and is testing their capabilities in the Arctic, but has never owned or used armed variants. The National Post report suggested the government could consider obtaining UAS and cheaper fighter aircraft instead of F-35s.
Fantino, however, said reports the government is looking at armed UAS to take the place of the F-35s, or to complement a reduced number of stealth fighters, were “absolutely incorrect.”
“Any suggestion, Mr. Speaker, that the Royal Canadian Air Force will be acquiring these systems is speculation at best,” he added.
Source: The National Post