Canada announces $9 billion plan to purchase 65 F-35 fighters

By Wikinews

 Canadian Defense Minister Peter MacKay announced on Friday morning a 9 billion Canadian dollar plan to buy 65 F-35 fighters. It would be the largest military purchase in the history of Canada. "I'm convinced the F-35 is good for Canada, good for Canadians, good for the Forces and good for Canadian industry," said MacKay during a press conference.

F-35 aircraft are going to replace the fleet of CF-18s. The official opposition, the Liberals, opposed the deal, saying that it should be reviewed and that they would put the deal on hold if elected.

Canada is one of several nations to help develop the F-35, and has invested over 150 million USD into the program for over a decade. The new fighters would replace the CF-18s currently in service, from 2017 onward.

This story originally appeared in Wikinews.