F-35 jet’s limits raise questions
Questions are being raised about whether the F-35 stealth fighter is right for Canada after a U.S. general acknowledged the jet is limited in what it can do and needs to be accompanied on missions by another multimillion-dollar aircraft.
The issue for Canada and other potential F-35 buyers is that the other aircraft referred to by the general — the F-22 — isn’t available for foreign sales because of its sophisticated technology.
Gen. Michael Hostage, head of air combat command in the U.S., said the F-35 is a key to the future of that country’s air force. But in an interview with the Air Force Times, published in February, Hostage said the F-35 needs to work hand-in-hand with the F-22.
“The F-35 is not built as an air superiority platform,” Hostage said. “It needs the F-22.”
The U.S. air force is upgrading the F-22, which officers see as essential. Without the upgraded F-22s, “the F-35 fleet frankly will be irrelevant,” Hostage said.
The comments have sparked debate in aerospace and defence circles.
“I’m sure you won’t see the general’s comments in any F-35 marketing literature,” said analyst Martin Shadwick, a York University professor. “Canada needs a multi-role fighter and even if the F-22 were available we couldn’t afford another aircraft to fly top cover for the F-35s.”
Senior Royal Canadian Air Force officers have acknowledged they are keen to see the F-35 in Canada. But in 2012, the Conservative government put a temporary halt to its purchase and appointed a group of senior officials to examine options for the replacement of the country’s CF-18 fighter jets.
The F-35 has had strong support in government.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper has labelled the jet a good deal for Canada.