Canada to accept bid from Boeing for new fighter jets
Canada said on 22 February that it was allowing Boeing to submit a bid to replace the country's aging F-18 fleet, after an earlier trade dispute between the American manufacturer and Ottawa.
The announcement came a month after the US International Trade Commission rejected a complaint filed by Boeing against its Canadian rival Bombardier, demanding nearly 300 percent anti-dumping duties on the C Series passenger plane.
Boeing, which makes the Super Hornet, is one of five manufacturers invited to submit proposals in spring 2019 for an order of 88 advanced fighter jets, which are to be delivered in 2025, according to a Canadian government statement.
The other manufacturers are US-based Lockheed Martin (F35), France's Dassault (Rafale), the Airbus group (Eurofighter Typhoon), and Sweden's Saab (Gripen).
Ottawa will evaluate the bids based on ‘cost, technical requirements and economic benefits,’ the government said. The winning bidder will have to invest in Canada an amount equal to the value of the contract.
Carla Qualtrough, Canadian Minister of Public Services and Procurement, said: ‘Our government is confident this will result in a robust competition, providing good value to Canadians and the Canadian economy.’
In December, the Canadian government scrapped a deal to buy 18 Boeing Super Hornets at a cost of more than $5 billion, following Boeing's complaint against Bombardier.
Boeing had accused the Canadian company of selling the C Series, which can seat between 100 and 150 passengers, at a loss to Delta Air Lines.
More from Defence Notes
-
Top-level commitments but no meat in UK Defence Industrial Strategy’s Statement of Intent
The initial document focused more on creating the right partnerships and inspiring investment in defence than on any details of how future UK Armed Forces would be armed.
-
UK begins process on new industrial strategy
The first stage of developing a new UK Defence Industrial Strategy has highlighted failings in current structures with solutions expected to be proposed in next year’s full strategy.
-
Romanians put pro-Russian candidate into presidential runoff even as the government spends west
Romania joined NATO more than two decades ago and the country is vital to the alliance’s geographic reach and its ability to supply Ukraine with weapons.
-
What the future holds for Ukraine and NATO under a Trump administration
Although Trump’s geopolitics policy for Europe remains unclear, defence analysts from the US and Europe predict how his incoming administration would attempt to handle critical issues on the continent.
-
RUSI deputy: UK needs longer procurement plans and improved awareness of US sift to Indo-Pacific
The UK budget announced in Parliament on 30 October was the first by a Labour government in 14 years which has also launched a review into defence procurement programmes.
-
Australia outlines longer punch and brings local industry onboard
The Australian government has placed a focus on Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance (GWEO) which has included the purchase of additional long-range rocket systems and investments in local production of missiles.