Canada to consider buying other combat aircraft than American-made F-35 fighter

F-35B fighter / U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Stacy-Ann Viner/U.S. Department of Defense

TORONTO Canada is considering buying fighter jets other than U.S.-made F-35's because of escalating costs associated with Lockheed Martin's (LMT) troubled Joint Strike Fighter program, the country's defense minister said Wednesday.

Defense Minister Peter MacKay said the government needs to ensure a balance between military and taxpayer interests.

Boeing restructures shrinking defense division
10 unusual but wonderful rewards for frequent flyers
Lockheed Martin CEO-to-be fired over personal relationship

MacKay said Canada needs to have all viable options on the table to replace the current fleet of 1980s-vintage CF-18s, which the government says will reach the end of their projected service life around 2020.

He reiterated that Canada wants to buy 65 jets for about $9 billion. But escalating costs and delays have dogged the F-35, which is now the most expensive U.S. Department of Defense procurement program ever.

A KPMG report says the lifetime cost of Canada owning 65 F-35's is estimated at $45.8 billion over 42 years.

Play Video

F-22: "60 Minutes" report prompts flight restrictions

MacKay had previously said it would buy the F-35, but the government never signed a binding contract. The government has since come under pressure because of ballooning costs and because other bids were not considered. An independent panel will consider a new range of options.

The government acknowledged Wednesday it could still buy the F-35. Other planes that could be considered include Boeing's (BA) Super Hornet or the European consortium made Eurofighter Typhoon jet.

Japan has said it may cancel its plans to buy dozens of the F-35s and Australia has said that to cut costs it is pushing back delivery of most of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighters. The Netherlands has also said it will trim its order.

The next-generation fighter is set to become the centerpiece of U.S. and allied air forces. Canada is a funding partner in developing the Joint Strike Fighter. Most of the funding comes from the United States, while Australia, Turkey, Britain, Italy, Norway, Denmark and the Netherlands are also funding partners.

[odbu812]

Can you smell it, Just like the American auto industry, the bloated carcass of the American war machine is dying with it's fruits shriveling on the vine. Just as most Americans are waking up and realizing soon as the drive a 38000$ (with out the trimmings)car off the lot, and hook a U-turn and have it appraised for 10K less. So are the people who drank the cool aide of the over priced and watch dog free war industries. Whom because of backroom dealings and unfair business practices stick the tax payer with unimaginable tax bills and expect other consumers to buy and over priced problematic lemon. Why would another Government buy such a horrifically priced shoddily cobbled together problematic sky hook? And today where is the need when the next wars won't even be fought in the skies? at least by manned planes? really? what has been the most significant player in the wars of today..they involve Nintendo wiz's playing video games in drop off air condition trailers. using face recognition pgms and satellite maps. After that the war is economy based battles, drop your prices and smack the babies in the sweat shop and bankrupt a nation...no planes needed.