taraf Thinking about this a little more, I am inclined to wonder if there aren’t more ulterior motives than have been discussed. One commentator suggested that Gulfstream made a case for Bombardier’s competing models to be kept out of their market, possibly via General Dynamics, their parent company. I have no evidence upon which to base any doubt, but I have to wonder if there isn’t even more to the story.
It has been publicly reported that Bombardier would have significant role in the partnership with SAAB. Could it not be that there are rumblings that we are getting closer to moving forward with that deal, and this is intended as a pre-emptive attack on Bombardier’s viability, or a “don’t you dare!” warning shot?
Also, if we are going to scale back the order with Lockheed Martin, how might that play out, given Hoekstra’s claim that NORAD would have to be re-structured if we took less than 88 of the F-35. Of course, we need a sizeable boulder of salt when listening to him; it is important to remember that he is the one who said that his boss had moved on from the annexation threats and “governor” nonsense, and also said in a recent interview, “That’s crazy! We’re not a threat.”. I guess he doesn’t see how all of those things don’t really work together.
At this point, I can’t see how our government could possibly sell an additional order for the F-35 to Canadians. The majority seem revolted by the idea; even more now than when we didn’t want Harper to spend all that money on it.