The Canadian government confirmed that it had scrapped plans to buy 18 F/A-18E/F Super Hornets from Boeing, as a partial replacement for the fleet of 77 earlier-generation F-18C/D Hornets operated by the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF). The move appears to come in retaliation for Boeing’s trade complaint that Canada had heavily subsidized the sale of 75 Bombardier C-series airliners to Delta Air Lines.
Instead, Canada will buy 18 of the F-18A/B Hornets that the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) is retiring, for about C$500 million ($388 million). “These aircraft are of similar age and design to Canada’s CF-18 fleet and can be integrated quickly with minimal modifications, training, and infrastructure changes,” the Canadian defense department noted. It further noted that the 18 jets being acquired from the RAAF will undergo the same structural life-extension modifications that the RCAF fleet is currently undergoing.
The RAAF is replacing its Hornets with Lockheed Martin F-35As, the same jet that Canada has been considering as a long-term replacement for the RCAF’s Hornets.
Looking ahead to the longer-term requirement of 88 fighters to replace the RCAF’s Hornets, Canadian procurement minister Carla Qualtrough told a news conference that “bidders responsible for harming Canada’s economic interests will be at a distinct disadvantage,” according to Reuters. This was a clear reference to Boeing, since the Super Hornet would in theory be a candidate, as well as the F-35. Bids are also expected from Dassault (for the Rafale) and Eurofighter (for the Typhoon).