The Rt. Hon Gavin Williamson, UK secretary of
Defence, announced the
publication of the new Combat Air Strategy at the Farnborough International
Airshow. Publicly unveiled for the
first time was a concept model of a brand-new, next-generation fighter jet.
Observers
who are far more knowledgeable then Canadian Defence Matters have suggested
that “the Tempest is not an option to
replace the CF-18... But it could be the
replacement for the replacement.” This assumption may prove to be wrong.
A little historical perspective is necessary here. In 1977, the Canadian
government identified the need to replace the CF-104 Starfighter, CF-101 Voodoo
and the CF-116 Freedom Fighter (the F-5). The government proceeded with the New Fighter
Aircraft competition and in 1978 the competitors were short-listed to
three aircraft types. In 1980, the McDonnell Douglas F/A-18
Hornet was declared the winner of the New Fighter Aircraft competition. A total of 138 CF-18’s were procured from 1982
to 1988.
So five years from the identification of requirement
to first deliveries and a total of eleven years from commencement of the
project to final delivery. This history stands in stark contrast to the record of the current “Future
Fighter Capability Project”, as it is now called.
When purchased the projected lifespan of the CF-18s
was about 20 years so it was not unreasonable in 1997 for the government of the
day to invest $10 million in the U.S.-led Joint Strike Fighter program to
develop a new fighter jet which was designed to replace aircraft of the
Hornets’ generation. It was not possible to foresee how long it would take that
replacement, the F-35, to become available. In the end upgrades to the existing
fleet of CF-18s started in the year 2000 with a goal of keeping them flying
until 2020.
In 2010 the government announced that it would buy 65
F-35s to replace the CF-18s. In 2012 an Auditor general’s report questioning
the price of the procurement caused a freeze on the budget and the decision to
hand the procurement process over to a new secretariat. In 2014 an independent
panel delivered a report to government which evaluated several plans but made
no recommendations. In the end the government of the day opted to keep all
options open.
In 2015, after campaign promises that they would not
purchase the F-35 a new government promised to hold a competition but dropped
specific language on F35s. In 2016 a new round of consultations was announced
and at present the government has compiled a suppliers list which includes
aircraft manufacturers and the foreign governments or defence agencies
associated with those planes. Under the government’s current plan , if the project is
approved and a contract awarded, the first aircraft is anticipated to be delivered
in 2025 with Initial Operating Capability to be achieved in 2026 and full
Operational Capability in 2031.
That, as a
contrast to the program to procure F-18 Hornets, would be 28 years from the
identification of requirement to first deliveries and a total of 34 years from
commencement of the project to final delivery. And that of course is not
necessarily the end.
It is reported
that Canada hopes to keep the Hornets operating for a minimum of another 15
years. Representatives from companies who took part in an industry day
outlining the Liberal government’s program to buy new fighter planes were told
the RCAF will now keep the CF-18s operating until 2032. It is also reported
that any delays in the purchase of new jets could alter that schedule and keep
those aircraft in service for longer than fifty years.
It is interesting to note that the declared schedule
for the new British Tempest fighter include decisions around how to acquire the
capability to be confirmed by the end of 2020, before final investment
decisions are made by 2025. The aim is then for a next generation platform to
have operational capability by 2035.
Canada’s procurement process has already contrived
to skip an entire generation of jet fighters; it now has the rare opportunity
to skip another generation entirely. Given the timeline set out for Tempest
development there is no reason that this ‘sixth generation’ aircraft could not
meet the undemanding schedule set for Canada’s Future Fighter Capability
Project.
There is one other way in which to insure that this
new fighter find its way into Canada’s inventory. There is little doubt that
the UK government hopes to attract foreign investment and sales of its new
fighter. Canadian Defence Matters would recommend a change of name for this
aircraft, if it wishes to attract Canadian interest. As much as many have
praised the name “Tempest” for its historical allusions it seems obvious that
if the Ministry of Defence could be prevailed upon to change the new fighters
name to “An Important Investment in High Quality Middle Class Jobs” the chances
of a major contract with Canada would be greatly enhanced.
Britain to take leading
role in next-generation air power, as Defence Secretary launches Combat Air
Strategy
BEST FIGHTER FOR CANADA -
THE TEMPEST!
McDonnell Douglas CF-18
Hornet
A timeline of efforts to
replace Canada's CF-18 fighter jets
Future Fighter Capability
Project
Canada's CF-18s to fly
until 2032 as new fighter jets expected to be slowly phased in
