Interesting perhaps Canada will do the smart thing and aquire a reasonable amount of F-35s (60+) and immediately following start to procure (60+) 6th gen like the GCAP to truly hedge their bets without having to procure a 4+ gen gripen-e. If they time it right and production starts after 2035 then perhaps we could start receiving the 6th gen immediately after receiving the final F-35s. Just a crazy thought.
I suspect the govt may be feeling it has painted itself into a corner with the F35 review, as expectations are high for some kind of change in direction even if that isn’t the best option. Joining GCAP allows them to continue the F35 purchase while claiming diversification away from US. We’ll probably have to buy our way into GCAP, but workshare may be less important to us than just sovereignty over maintenance and upgrades.
I think the no brainer is go with Saab the whole way if we can. Imagine an RCAF like this:
48 F35s
60 Gripens
The we buy the Saab Global Eye, and sign onto their 6th Generation Family of aircraft, which includes loyal wingman drones. So we’d have the F35, and we’d have a complete ecosystem of the Saab Gripen, GlobalEye, 6th Gen, and Loyal Wingman drones; all designed and networked together, and all of which could be built here in Canada.
If Canada was smart we would open talks with South Korea about getting aboard its KF-21 program. The South Koreans will have a 5th Gen fighter in the air before GCAP/FCAS ever will.
Finally….glad to hear of it. A thing on the gripen side no one seems to be thinking about is the gripen F & possible opportunities that second seat could be useful for…drone operator, enhanced ecw…etc. also a fan of the KF 21 but 5 th gen features like stealth not available until the version 3 arrives (if everything goes well).
Another point that never comes up is how good is that Swedish ecw talked about in the gripen…and how at risk is the F35 stealth feature (and all stealth aircraft) with this comment that they are susceptible & visible to low frequency radar use?
Interesting perhaps Canada will do the smart thing and aquire a reasonable amount of F-35s (60+) and immediately following start to procure (60+) 6th gen like the GCAP to truly hedge their bets without having to procure a 4+ gen gripen-e. If they time it right and production starts after 2035 then perhaps we could start receiving the 6th gen immediately after receiving the final F-35s. Just a crazy thought.
I suspect the govt may be feeling it has painted itself into a corner with the F35 review, as expectations are high for some kind of change in direction even if that isn’t the best option. Joining GCAP allows them to continue the F35 purchase while claiming diversification away from US. We’ll probably have to buy our way into GCAP, but workshare may be less important to us than just sovereignty over maintenance and upgrades.
This would be the best option in my opinion.
I think the no brainer is go with Saab the whole way if we can. Imagine an RCAF like this:
48 F35s
60 Gripens
The we buy the Saab Global Eye, and sign onto their 6th Generation Family of aircraft, which includes loyal wingman drones. So we’d have the F35, and we’d have a complete ecosystem of the Saab Gripen, GlobalEye, 6th Gen, and Loyal Wingman drones; all designed and networked together, and all of which could be built here in Canada.
Bonkers I say, bonkers.
If Canada was smart we would open talks with South Korea about getting aboard its KF-21 program. The South Koreans will have a 5th Gen fighter in the air before GCAP/FCAS ever will.
Finally….glad to hear of it. A thing on the gripen side no one seems to be thinking about is the gripen F & possible opportunities that second seat could be useful for…drone operator, enhanced ecw…etc. also a fan of the KF 21 but 5 th gen features like stealth not available until the version 3 arrives (if everything goes well).
Another point that never comes up is how good is that Swedish ecw talked about in the gripen…and how at risk is the F35 stealth feature (and all stealth aircraft) with this comment that they are susceptible & visible to low frequency radar use?