The competition for Canada’s future fighter jets may start in less than two years, according to Lt. Gen. Michael Hood, Commander of the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF).
“The plan right now is to have a request for proposal out to industry by 2019,” the commander said during an exclusive interview with Defence News. “A 2019 RFP would get us into contract probably by 2021, and certainly my advice to government is the sooner the better.”
A CF-18 Hornet, from 410 Tactical Fighter (Operational Training) Squadron, over Cold Lake Air Weapons Range (CLAWR). The aircraft was flown by Captain Corey Liddle, student at 410 Squadron during his last training flight of Fighter Pilot course serial 40 (FPC-40). Photos by Cpl Jean-Francois Lauzé, 4 Wing imaging
Canada is looking to purchase 88 advanced fighter aircraft to replace the ageing CF-18 fleet as part of its new defence policy, Strong Secure Engaged.
