DEFENCE CRITIC CALLS FOR NEW FIGHTER JET WITHIN 12 MONTHS

One of the most vocal critics of the Liberal government’s rush to buy new fighter jets says a new plane must be chosen within the next year to prevent a future gap. Conservative defence critic James Bezan is among those who have accused the Liberals of trying to buy a new jet without a competition by manufacturing talk about a pending shortage of aircraft. But speaking to The Canadian Press, Bezan said he believes Canada will not have enough fighter jets or trained pilots when the CF-18s retire in 2025 if a replacement isn’t chosen within 12 months. He said that is why he asked the House of Commons’ defence committee to recommend the government adopt a hurried timeline. The recommendation was supposed to be confidential, Bezan said, but was leaked this week.