Concern over too few stealths

Internal Defence Department briefings say military planners are worried Ottawa is buying too few F-35 stealth fighters.


They are also concerned there will be no room for any loss of the stealth jets throughout their projected lifetimes.
The briefings say Canada is the only country that doesn’t account for the loss of aircraft through accidents.
The cost of the fighters range up to 150 million each,depending upon the estimate, and the purchase is limited to 65 aircraft.
Records obtained by The Canadian Press show that when the joint strike fighter was proposed almost a decade ago, the air force recommended a fleet of 80.
Nevertheless, Defence Minister Peter MacKay insists 65 is adequate to meet Canada’s military needs.
The F-35s are replacing roughly 77 CF-18s, just over half the original number of 138 purchased almost 30 years ago.