Canada Defense Minister Backs Off Campaign Rejection of F-35 Jet
- Minister Sajjan says focus is on best replacement aircraft
- Trudeau on election trail rejected F-35 as too expensive
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Canada’s new defense minister backed off a campaign-trail pledge by his Liberal Party that Lockheed Martin Corp.’s F-35 jets would be excluded from a competition to replace the country’s aging fleet of military aircraft.
Harjit Sajjan said Monday during a conference call with reporters his focus is finding the best aircraft to replace the CF-18 jets before they become obsolete. He was asked twice whether the F-35 is being excluded from bidding, and both times he sidestepped the question. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said while campaigning for the October election Canada “won’t purchase the F-35” because they’re too expensive.