I would say at least four more, fills the existing lines of tasking, gives some good extra availability, and provides some surge capacity. Thats me though.
“…main ones are exercising the options for the CP8 (bringing the fleet to 16) and more A330. The A330 is such a beast of an aircraft and so well loved as a capability that I wouldn't be surprised to see followups.”
But where are they going to get the pilots, technicians, and infrastructure for these extra planes? I thought the RCAF wasn’t capable of expanding and further and we’re in a pilot/technician crisis? Oh right. That only exists when we’re talking about the Gripen. 😏
I’d imagine that this current surge of recruitment has them thinking they may get more young pilots engaged along with any new order/expanded ordered CP-8’s/A330MRTT will be at least a decade out. That’s time to train and build. They will need some serious incentives to retain the personnel they currently have though.
Same logic applies though for the Gripen. Any fighters delivered will be 6-8 years out.
The thing is, recruiting and retention is something ENTIRELY in our own control. There’s ZERO shortages of folks applying who want to be pilots of all stripes. For folks to say it’s impossible to onboard a duel fighter fleet because of manning issues, is to imply that recruiting is forever stuck where it is. Ramp up in a war? Nope not capable. Expand the size of the RCAF? Nope, never gonna happen. The problem is US. But, it’s in our control. If having more pilots really is a priority … We *could* spend more money and expand our training pipeline. We *could* pay pilots more. We *could* change our employment structure to keep them flying longer (the job they want to do). We *could* change how pilot contracts work to keep them longer. Hell, we *could* even CONSCRIPT pilots and technicians if the demand was great enough.
We have the levers. The fact that we’re talking about adding: Additional P8s, additional A330s, new AW&Cs, maybe new EW Planes, and new Attack helicopters to the CAF, and no one says Jack shit about pilot/technician shortages, infrastructure needs and “dual fleet” considerations; but only bring those things up for the Gripen? Get outta here.
“ All-Domain Defence Plan, Navy Fleet Mix Study, and Canadian Army Warfighting Concept” sounds like a somewhat siloed approach, not one that leads to systemic optimization.
What is "J-Leo?"
Probably “Japanese Low Earth Orbit”, but I’m guessing 🤷🏻♂️
Japanenese Low Earth Orbit Communication Constellation. MDA is considered a prime candidate to support development of this caoabilities
How many more MRTTs would be ideal?
I would say at least four more, fills the existing lines of tasking, gives some good extra availability, and provides some surge capacity. Thats me though.
“…main ones are exercising the options for the CP8 (bringing the fleet to 16) and more A330. The A330 is such a beast of an aircraft and so well loved as a capability that I wouldn't be surprised to see followups.”
But where are they going to get the pilots, technicians, and infrastructure for these extra planes? I thought the RCAF wasn’t capable of expanding and further and we’re in a pilot/technician crisis? Oh right. That only exists when we’re talking about the Gripen. 😏
I’d imagine that this current surge of recruitment has them thinking they may get more young pilots engaged along with any new order/expanded ordered CP-8’s/A330MRTT will be at least a decade out. That’s time to train and build. They will need some serious incentives to retain the personnel they currently have though.
Same logic applies though for the Gripen. Any fighters delivered will be 6-8 years out.
The thing is, recruiting and retention is something ENTIRELY in our own control. There’s ZERO shortages of folks applying who want to be pilots of all stripes. For folks to say it’s impossible to onboard a duel fighter fleet because of manning issues, is to imply that recruiting is forever stuck where it is. Ramp up in a war? Nope not capable. Expand the size of the RCAF? Nope, never gonna happen. The problem is US. But, it’s in our control. If having more pilots really is a priority … We *could* spend more money and expand our training pipeline. We *could* pay pilots more. We *could* change our employment structure to keep them flying longer (the job they want to do). We *could* change how pilot contracts work to keep them longer. Hell, we *could* even CONSCRIPT pilots and technicians if the demand was great enough.
We have the levers. The fact that we’re talking about adding: Additional P8s, additional A330s, new AW&Cs, maybe new EW Planes, and new Attack helicopters to the CAF, and no one says Jack shit about pilot/technician shortages, infrastructure needs and “dual fleet” considerations; but only bring those things up for the Gripen? Get outta here.
“ All-Domain Defence Plan, Navy Fleet Mix Study, and Canadian Army Warfighting Concept” sounds like a somewhat siloed approach, not one that leads to systemic optimization.
Yes, let’s hope they’ve all been in the same chat group…