"We're still very sure that the F-35 is the right aircraft," MacKay said following an unrelated announcement Thursday in Winnipeg.
That's very different from Harper's comments on the F-35 in question period last week.
"Obviously we will sign a contract when and if it is the appropriate thing to do," Harper said.
Associate Defence Minister Julian Fantino also stressed last week the "decision has not yet been made" to buy the F-35.
That leaves open the possibility Canada could go a different route to replace the CF-18 fighters, which have been flying since 1982.
Fantino has already said officials are looking at alternatives to the F-35.
"I'm waiting to hear back from the experts as to what options will ultimately be available to us," he said last week.
But MacKay said plans are already well advanced for getting the F-35.
"So, we have budgeted for and planned for the acquisition of this aircraft," MacKay said. "By all accounts, it's the only fifth generation, stealth aircraft that meets Canada's needs. We're proceeding with that acquisition, but we have not signed a contract as yet, so there's stages that have to be followed and met in this process."
Amid rising costs and production delays for the F-35, Fantino has already said some of the old CF-18s might have to keep flying until 2023.
Original Article
Source: lfpress
Author: Daniel Proussalidis
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