Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources By Carmen Chai, Postmedia News January 11, 2011 - The Vancouver SunBaird defended the government's commitment to purchase 65 F-35s, insisting the deal will help the Canadian Forces while significantly contributing to the economy.
"It's the right thing to do and our government is committed to seeing this through," Baird said of the planned purchase, which is estimated to be at least $14 billion, while touring MDS Aero Support Corporation, an Ottawa-based engineering organization involved with the development of fighter jet engines.
His comments come a week after the U.S. government announced that the development of a variant of the F-35 ordered by the Marine Corps will be put on a two-year "probation" due to "significant testing problems."
The government has poured $168 million into the JSF program since joining the U.S.-led partnership in 1997 in a plan to replace Canada's aging fleet of CF-18s.
"We're seeing contracts worth more than $350 million being awarded to Canadian contractors, research laboratories and universities in every part of the country. That means we've already seen a two-to-one return on our investment," Baird said.
Baird said joining the program will provide Canadian companies with access to $12 billion in potential work, from manufacturing and assembling parts, to servicing and repairs over a 40-year period.
http://defense-technologynews.blogspot.com/2011/01/dtn-news-defense-news-f-35-purchase.html
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