Defence Minister Peter MacKay hit back at Michael Ignatieff Wednesday over the Liberal leader's criticism of the government's $16-billion plan to buy 65 F-35 fighter jets.
He said Ignatieff's comments demoralize the Armed Forces and undermine confidence in Canada among military allies.
MacKay was responding to Conservative MP Mike Wallace who said Ignatieff has "hemmed and hawed" about whether Liberals would cancel the procurement plan if they form government.
"It has an impact on morale," MacKay asserted, saying such uncertainty affects career and living plans by Armed Forces members.
It also affects confidence in Canada by allies in the NATO military alliance and in NORAD, Canada's military partnership with the United States.
In testimony before the House of Commons defence committee, MacKay said Canada's fleet of CF-18 fighters are aging.
"An operational gap, I stress, is not an option."
Liberal defence critic Dominic LeBlanc told reporters his party, if elected, would put the purchase on hold and allow competitive bidding with other aircraft manufacturers. He dismissed MacKay's comment as "a facile and cynical criticism."
"The Liberal Party is very supportive of replacing the CF-18 fighter jets with the most appropriate next-generation aircraft, but at the best value for Canadian taxpayers and to make sure that industry benefits," LeBlanc said.
MacKay said the F-35 is "the most affordable option" for a fighter jet needed to guard Canadian sovereignty, patrol the Arctic and do its share in the NATO military alliance.
Industry Minister Tony Clement said the purchase provides "privileged access" to Canadian industry to a global supply chain for producing and maintaining as many as 5,000 Lockheed Martin F-35s.
Public Works Minister Rona Ambrose said the door to those contracts "would be slammed shut" if Canada withdraws from the program.
Canadian industry would get to bid for contracts on all 5,000 planes instead of only on the 65 planes Canada is buying.
Ambrose defended the government against criticism the F-35 was chosen in a "sole-source contract" instead of a competition with other fighters.
There is no alternative plane to consider so no competition would be held, Ambrose said. "It would be a waste of time and it would be a waste of resources."
NDP defence critic Jack Harris said MacKay had broken his promise in the House of Commons for an open, transparent competition.
- Officials from Project Ploughshares urged MPs to consider that the costs of the F-35 are more than double the projected price of a decade ago and noted that some European countries have postponed their purchase plans because of spiralling costs.
The group is an agency of the Canadian Council of Churches.
- Military analyst Robert Huebert said Canada should also purchase some other aircraft more appropriate for defending a future ice-free Arctic.
by Juliet O'NeilRead more Aviation News http://www.theprovince.com View Model Airplanes
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