Liberals to acquire 18 new jets for Canada

By Floriane Bonneville, Lauren Sproule and Bronwyn Beairsto

Defense Minister Harjit Sajjan announced this afternoon Canada would acquire 18 Boeing Super Hornet jets to replace the military’s current 35-year-old CF-18 jet.

Sajjan said the government was not willing to carry the risks of continued reliance on the aging jets.

The Super Hornets are an interim solution until the contract for a more permanent fleet is awarded in “an open and transparent competition,” said Minister of Public Services and Procurement, Judy Foote.

Foote would not say how much the planes would cost.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau defended this afternoon’s announcement in question period.  “We right now have a capability gap, we cannot fulfill our NORAD obligations.” He said that it is necessary to get new jets “to protect our sovereignty and support our allies.”