Super Hornet
Jet makers were not required to attend
today’s session, but Boeing’s absence was noted by many of those in attendance.
OTTAWA—Boeing says it has not decided whether to submit
its Super Hornet fighter jet as a potential replacement for Canada’s aging
CF-18s, as it waits to see how the federal government will run the
multibillion-dollar competition.
The comments come after Boeing skipped an information
session today at which government officials provided industry with a snapshot
of Canada’s plan to purchase 88 new fighter jets in the coming years for an
estimated $15 billion to $19 billion.
Jet makers were not required to attend today’s session to
participate in the upcoming competition, which will be formally launched next
year, but Boeing’s absence was noticed by many of those in attendance.
Boeing spokesperson Scott Day says the company values
Canada as a customer and believes the Super Hornet is the best jet for the
Canadian military, but wants to see the details before deciding whether to join
the competition.
The Liberals announced in November that they were walking
away from their plan to buy 18 Super Hornets to temporarily augment Canada’s
CF-18 fleet because of the U.S. aerospace giant’s trade
dispute with Bombardier.
The government also warned that companies deemed to be
hurting Canada’s economic interests would be at a “distinct disadvantage” in
the upcoming fighter competition, which many saw as a direct shot at Boeing
over the dispute.
Original post: thestar.com
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