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Posted (edited)

I hope this happens and Harper is put in his place

http://www.ctv.ca/CTVNews/TopStories/20111115/united-states-deficit-budget-cuts-panetta-f35-fighter-jets-future-111115/

Canada's plans to replenish its aging air force with a new generation of high-tech fighter jets could be affected by U.S. budget cuts.

U.S. Defence Secretary Leon Panetta warned Congress this week that the U.S. military is looking at some ugly choices if lawmakers cannot come to an agreement on how to cut US$1.2 trillion from the deficit.

Should Congress fail to make progress on the deficit by Nov. 23, Panetta said the military will be legally obligated to slash $500 billion from its operations over a 10-year period, in addition to $450 billion in cuts that are already underway.

Panetta wrote a letter to two members of the Senate Armed Service Committee outlining what some of those cuts would be.

"Facing such large reductions, we would have to reduce the size of the military sharply," Panetta said in the letter sent to Senators John McCain and Lindsey Graham on November 14.

"Rough estimates suggest after ten years of these cuts, we would have the smallest ground force since 1940, the smallest number of ships since 1915, and the smallest Air Force in its history. We would also be forced to terminate most large procurement programs in order to accommodate modernization reductions that are likely to be required."

In his letter, Panetta said the Department of Defence could decide to "terminate" its Joint Strike Fighter program.

His letter does not say how likely it is that the U.S. military would actually kill the Joint Strike Fighter. But he said that doing so could save Washington an estimated $80 billion.

Canada has made plans to spend billions on an F-35 fleet of its own, which will be built by the U.S.-based Lockheed Martin.

But if Washington pulls the plug on its own F-35 plans, it is unclear what will happen to the development timeline for the planes that Canada wants to replace its aging fleet of CF-18 Hornets.

Edited by olp1fan
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Posted (edited)

Thats very hopefull.

I bet Harper thought having a majority would make everything easy

I can't think of one thing that has went his way that didn't give him any problems

Edited by olp1fan
Posted

I bet Harper thought having a majority would make everything easy

I can't think of one thing that has went his way that didn't give him any problems

On the contrary, it's made life harder for him because he can't hide behind the supposed indecision of a minority government.

Posted

Canada does need to replace its jets but the F-35's just did not make sense. Not only are they millions of dollars more expensive than other better options, but they're not suited for the arctic, which should be the focus at the moment. It's like buying a rear wheel drive sports car to drive in Regina's winters.

The commission that the lobby groups will lose on this would really burn.

When I despair, I remember that all through history the way of truth and love have always won. There have been tyrants and murderers, and for a time, they can seem invincible, but in the end, they always fall. Think of it--always. Gandhi

Posted

I bet Harper thought having a majority would make everything easy

I can't think of one thing that has went his way that didn't give him any problems

Im sorry, but why so vindictive? Are you so entrenched in your ideology that you can't believe he is doing what he thinks is right for the country? I mean really, putting him in his place? What exactly does that mean? Honestly that's a really silly comment, you can disagree with him, i surely don't agree with him on everything, but you actually seem to hate the man, just what has he done to garner that hatred aside from doing things that he thinks are right and that you don't agree with?

Do you hate Chretien? Do you think he did things for his reasons or for yours?

Posted

I wonder if Russia would like to do a deal for some of their MiG-35's, maybe ramp up production to make a big sale?

Posted

Im sorry, but why so vindictive? Are you so entrenched in your ideology that you can't believe he is doing what he thinks is right for the country? I mean really, putting him in his place? What exactly does that mean? Honestly that's a really silly comment, you can disagree with him, i surely don't agree with him on everything, but you actually seem to hate the man, just what has he done to garner that hatred aside from doing things that he thinks are right and that you don't agree with?

Do you hate Chretien? Do you think he did things for his reasons or for yours?

Are you serious? I was happy with the Canada we had before him. this is no longer Canada, its Harperland

what is to like about him? for crying out loud his photo ops are of him cuddling his kitten with a fake smile in front of a fireplace

that is just creepy

why do I not like Harper? He is an evangelical ideologue ...you could support something with all kinds of evidence and he's like ...no, we're doing it my way, his government is one of the most corrupt in the past 50 years... I'm sure he'd let Tony Clement and John Baird get away with murder if it meant he'd keep his government

Need I go on more?

Posted

Im sorry, but why so vindictive? Are you so entrenched in your ideology that you can't believe he is doing what he thinks is right for the country? I mean really, putting him in his place? What exactly does that mean? Honestly that's a really silly comment, you can disagree with him, i surely don't agree with him on everything, but you actually seem to hate the man, just what has he done to garner that hatred aside from doing things that he thinks are right and that you don't agree with?

Do you hate Chretien? Do you think he did things for his reasons or for yours?

Just some stupid disenfranchised lefty being bitter

Posted

Canada does need to replace its jets but the F-35's just did not make sense. Not only are they millions of dollars more expensive than other better options, but they're not suited for the arctic, which should be the focus at the moment. It's like buying a rear wheel drive sports car to drive in Regina's winters.

The commission that the lobby groups will lose on this would really burn.

Where did you get the idea that there is ANY airplane suited for the Arctic?

Posted

Yes...the Americans can giveth...and they can taketh away.

If this is true is there some place we can write to make suggestions?

Posted (edited)

No...that's the fun part...the Americans are unilateral on such things.

Please for the love of God (who might be real or imaginary) please cut the program

Edited by olp1fan
Posted

Are you serious? I was happy with the Canada we had before him. this is no longer Canada, its Harperland

what is to like about him? for crying out loud his photo ops are of him cuddling his kitten with a fake smile in front of a fireplace

that is just creepy

why do I not like Harper? He is an evangelical ideologue ...you could support something with all kinds of evidence and he's like ...no, we're doing it my way, his government is one of the most corrupt in the past 50 years... I'm sure he'd let Tony Clement and John Baird get away with murder if it meant he'd keep his government

Need I go on more?

Not really. What does any of that have to do with re equipping our military? Really, you might have just started a thread titled "I Hate Harper". You don't really give a damn whether we need to replace the F-18's or what kind of aircraft this government orders as long as the deal falls through.

"Never trust a man who has not a single redeeming vice". WSC

Posted

Not really. What does any of that have to do with re equipping our military? Really, you might have just started a thread titled "I Hate Harper". You don't really give a damn whether we need to replace the F-18's or what kind of aircraft this government orders as long as the deal falls through.

Thats been talked about quite a bit.

This proposed purchase violates a few basic rules of procurement.

1. Never be an early adopter of a brand new technology. My $1800 dollars 26 inch LCD is a testement to that.

2. Dont buy a Ferrari F40 if 90% of your driving activity is going to the corner store to get bread.

I question things because I am human. And call no one my father who's no closer than a stranger

Posted

Some would have us forsake our old friends in favour of the dubious Russians or Red Chinese. Does this world seem upside down or what?

Well, it is the global economy and Russia isn't the Big Bad Soviet Union anymore and could likely use the business. At the same time, we could work out some deals for some oil too.

Posted

Well, it is the global economy and Russia isn't the Big Bad Soviet Union anymore and could likely use the business. At the same time, we could work out some deals for some oil too.

The hypocracy is really pretty funny.

I question things because I am human. And call no one my father who's no closer than a stranger

Posted (edited)

1. Never be an early adopter of a brand new technology. My $1800 dollars 26 inch LCD is a testement to that.

Unfortunately, like F1 cars, combat aircraft are all about the latest technology. Fighters in particular.

2. Dont buy a Ferrari F40 if 90% of your driving activity is going to the corner store to get bread.

We bought C-17's and C-130's for that. You don't go out and buy a Toyota Corolla to race against Ferrari F-40's.

Edited by Wilber

"Never trust a man who has not a single redeeming vice". WSC

Posted

If we don't buy the F-35 (if they don't build it), then we'll have to buy something else that is less up to date, probably the F/A-18 E/F. Then we'll have to buy something else in 20 years....and so we won't be saving anything.

Posted

Well, it is the global economy and Russia isn't the Big Bad Soviet Union anymore and could likely use the business. At the same time, we could work out some deals for some oil too.

Oh, please. Putin is practically the ol' Politburo all by himself. Leader for life until further notice.

Posted

The hypocracy is really pretty funny.

It really is. With their excellent technology, superb fighter aircraft, tons of resources... they are loaded for bear. Heck, we could likely drop a nice, neat little pipeline right across the North Pole into their oil refineries.

They're not commies anymore, why not? I bet their MiGs do OK in the Arctic.

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