Canada is actively looking at potential alternatives to the U.S-built F-35 stealth fighter and will hold conversations with rival aircraft makers, Defence Minister Bill Blair said late Friday, just hours after being reappointed to the post as part of Prime Minister Mark Carney’s new cabinet.
So instead of some cartoonish “kill switch” that instantly bricks the plane, the U.S. can simply stop updating and supporting them… and the only thing stopping them from doing so is words on paper.
If I was Canada, I’d go for the Gripen.
I don’t think America withdrawing support would actually “turn off” the planes.
Switzerland general guy was saying that manufacturing parts and updates and so on is done in partnership, with many countries sharing the responsibility.
That makes complete sense when you think about it. If your country is paying billions to some american company, firstly you don’t want them to be able to turn you off any time, and secondly you want some local manufacturing to improve your own economy and train your own people.
Any reporting I’ve read says the US withdrawing support would be painful but wouldn’t ground fleets.
I mean, ultimately, that’s all that any contract is.