In light of the Conservatives’ newly-released platform, Liberals are reminding Canadians that their numbers aren’t credible, making their platform promises empty at best.
The Conservatives’ platform still hides the true cost of their untendered stealth fighter jet purchase, despite even more evidence that they are grossly underestimating the actual cost of the planes.
Furthermore, the Conservatives’ claim that the F-35s will be delivered problem-free and relatively on schedule continues to lose credibility in the face of contrary expert opinion.
Winslow Wheeler, Director of the Straus Military Reform Project at the Center for Defence Information in Washington, on CBC’s Power and Politics with Evan Solomon:
(On Peter MacKay’s claim that the per-unit cost of the F-35 will only be $75 million)
Winslow Wheeler:
“I have with me a Lockheed [Martin] handout that says that unit … prices do not include things like propulsion. That means the engine, government-furnished equipment. We don’t know what that is. That might be things like the gun. Nor does it cover engineering change orders.”
Evan Solomon:
“So, wait a sec. If I understand you correctly, you’re saying that the $75 million that the Canadian Defence Department is telling Canadians it will cost to get this airplane you’re saying may not include the engine or the guns, the weapons system?”
Winslow Wheeler:
“We need to scratch that number very hard and find out exactly what you’re going to get for that. You’re not going to get a flyable airplane. Fly-away cost does not get anybody a flyable airplane.”
Evan Solomon:
“If you’re buying in 2016, what do you think the chances of getting it for $75 million in 2016 is?”
Winslow Wheeler:
“It’s not going to happen.…The costs in 2016 even if you take the optimistic projection of $140 million per copy for the kind of airplane you’re trying to buy, that’s extremely optimistic.… It’s not going to happen.”
Republican Senator John McCain discusses the cost overruns on the F-35:
“The F-35, the next generation fighter (jet), I mean it is a disgrace…It is an absolute disgrace, the cost overruns. …It’s been now something like 18 months behind schedule and already double the original cost. You just cannot sustain such behavior in these days of economic hard times.” (Texas on the Potomac, April 7, 2011)
(To view the video of Senator McCain’s comments click here)
Report from the U.S. Government Accountability Office on the “Joint Strike Fighter,” April 7, 2011:
“Affordability for the U.S. and partners is challenged by a near doubling in average unit prices since program start and higher estimated life-cycle costs.
“After more than 9 years in development and 4 in production, the [Joint Strike Fighter] JSF program has not fully demonstrated that the aircraft design is stable, manufacturing processes are mature, and the system is reliable.
“Only about 4 percent of JSF capabilities have been completely verified by flight tests, lab results, or both.
“The growth in aircraft reliability—crucial for managing life-cycle costs—has not been demonstrated to the extent planned by this time.
“[U.S.] Department of Defence does not yet know the full effect that restructuring actions will have on future annual procurement funding requirements.”
