Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

unhappycamper

(60,364 posts)
Fri Aug 23, 2013, 08:42 AM Aug 2013

Cost of F-35 stealth fighters could soon hit (Canadian) defence spending cap, report shows

http://blogs.ottawacitizen.com/2013/08/22/dnd-shrinks-contigency-fund-for-any-future-f-35-purchase/



The full cost of the F-35s has been pegged at $45 billion, but only $9 billion of that is for actually buying the planes. The remaining $36 billion is for development, maintenance, operating costs and disposal when the aircraft reach the end of their usefulness, expected around 2052.

Cost of F-35 stealth fighters could soon hit defence spending cap, report shows
By Lee Berthiaume, Postmedia News August 22, 2013

OTTAWA — The military’s dream of buying a fleet of F-35s appears to be in growing danger of bumping against a hard spending cap imposed by the Conservative government.

A new Defence Department report shows the anticipated cost per plane has increased since December, which combined with others factors has left very little room for error if Canada is to buy 65 of the stealth fighters for $9 billion.

That number is politically important because the government has stated it will not pay more than $9 billion to buy a replacement for Canada’s aging fleet of CF-18s.

(The full cost of the F-35s has been pegged at $45 billion, but only $9 billion of that is for actually buying the planes. The remaining $36 billion is for development, maintenance, operating costs and disposal when the aircraft reach the end of their usefulness, expected around 2052.)



unhappycamper comment: Nine billion dollars will only buy 36 F-35s.

Latest Discussions»Issue Forums»Veterans»Cost of F-35 stealth figh...