OTTAWA – POLITICS – Rob Nicholson, Shadow Minister for Procurement and Public Services, and James Bezan, Shadow Minister for National Defence issued the following statement on the United States approval of the Liberal government’s proposed purchase of 25 used, 40-year old F-18 Hornets from Australia:
“This Liberal government’s determination to saddle the Canadian Armed Forces with substandard equipment is simply unfathomable.
“Australia’s Auditor General has reported these jets are subject to structural fatigue, increased maintenance costs, and corrosion. That same report also indicated that ‘using the (F-18 Hornet) fleet beyond 2020 may well require an expanded, and hence more costly, safety-by-inspection regime, structural modifications and capability upgrades.’
“Justin Trudeau’s decision to purchase these outdated planes has not only let the CAF down, but will compromise the sovereignty and security of our nation.
“Conservatives call upon this Liberal Government to do the right thing for the Canadian Armed Forces and immediately launch, as was promised three years ago, a fair and open competition to ensure the men and women of the Royal Canadian Air Force have a modern replacement for our CF-18s. The protection of our country requires no less.”
