Opinion: Like it or not, the U.S. needs to be a key part of Canada’s next-gen jet procurement process
“You’ve got a policy that’s been in place for decades and it’s been very successful for Canadian industry,” said Jim Barnes, director of business development in Canada for Boeing, which builds the Super Hornet fighter jet.Those lost benefits to the industry could also damage the military’s ability to operate whatever fighter jet wins the competition, said Patrick Palmer, executive vice-president of Swedish firm Saab, which builds the Gripen fighter.
“Our position right now is we’re going to review the final and we’re going to make that determination,” said Palmer. “We have not committed one way or the other.” Under the new process, bidders can still guarantee that they will reinvest back into Canada if their jet wins the competition and get full points – which is the likely approach for Boeing, Saab and Eurofighter, which build the Typhoon.
globepolitics Canada should buy the Saab Gripen.