Recent content by Prairie canuck

Putting the ASW aspect aside wouldn't a helicopter provide a SAR capability, medical evacuation, ice reconnaissance, logistics between ships and ship to shore and shore to ship, and extend the ship's surveillance? I'm sure there's more that can be added to the list.

Only repeat this in a whisper and only outside of Ottawa, there is a basic ASW version of the 412, Bell 412EPI ASW. 412 ASW

Japan stopped licensed new builds in 1998. These are upgrades to existing aircraft.

I have heard plans to contract OSVs in this forum but not from the navy. Same for the 2 other ship types, on this forum but not from the navy.

It seems someone is trying to take all the shortcomings of the unarmed AOPS, do some ice, coastal, and overseas work, add the requirements of replacing the MCDVs capabilities, throw in some speed, some long range and endurance, but try to run it all within a 100m vessel with a staff of under 50...

The world has changed. Maybe some peoples attitudes need to learn and adapt and not be stuck in the "old guard" rut too. There's a trumpeted need for updated modern equipment, why wouldn't that extend to the present structure too?

Not yet but in 5 to 6yrs, or the time it takes to construct the GLAAM, they could be around.

Isn't a key selling feature of the Gripen it's ability to land and take off from austere locations?

$150 million is the high end estimate of a Gripen. There are quotes as low as $85 million but the average for the E & F is presently approximately $110 to 120 million. Also consider that labour costs are between 35 to 40% which would largely stay in-country along with the income tax collected...

Thanks, if I don't ask then I don't know, now I know.

This is likely closer to what the V Admiral is thinking of. G LAAM

Add replacements for the Snowbirds and it may look like 30 Gripen 2 seaters E max? Definitely not in any way an F35 replacement but potentially a very good Hawk and Tutor replacement.

Which would be cheaper, a new build Corvette or outfitting the AOPS with appropriate radar, ESSM, and a bigger gun? If the AOPS were "properly" outfitted wouldn't that reduce the number of Corvettes Topshee is asking for?

That's definitely from the Bombardier playbook. Whether Saab follows that playbook or has it's own is yet to be seen.

In an interview with the CBC the Swedish defense minister stated that Canada purchasing Gripens is not a prerequisite to setting up an assembly line for the fighters in Canada with Canadian partners. Pal Jonson interview