F-35 facility still in Canada’s plans: DND

Payment for computer programming project on hold pending purchase of aircraft

Canada is still involved in the planning of a $650-million computer programming facility for the F-35 aircraft, but is holding off paying its share of the project until the government makes a decision on whether to buy the fighter aircraft.

The facility for reprogramming the software-intensive stealth fighter would be operated by Canada, Britain and Australia. Canadian military officers are currently involved in the early stages of the project, according to Department of National Defence documents obtained by the Citizen.

But the Conservative government’s decision to rethink its F-35 purchase is limiting the country’s ability to influence the establishment of the software reprogramming infrastructure for the high-tech jet, warned the September 2012 briefing note for then-associate defence minister Bernard Valcourt.

“An inability from Canada to make financial commitments to a reprogramming solution for the F-35 will transfer the financial burden of on-going activities to JSF Partners, restricting Canada’s ability to influence requirements development and design of the program solution,” it added.

If Canada decides to get involved in the facility it will be required to catch up with a financial contribution for a third of the $650 million. The costs will be included in a submission to the Treasury Board for a new fighter aircraft once the government finishes its review of that purchase, the briefing note pointed out.

As many as 15 to 20 Canadian military personnel would be assigned to the software laboratory.

The documents, obtained through the Access to Information law, indicate that Canada’s participation in the F-35 program continues even as funding for the jet is temporarily frozen.

In the summer of 2012, Steve O’Bryan, Lockheed Martin’s vice-president for F-35 program integration, confirmed to the Citizen that Canadian government procurement and military officials were still assigned to the fighter aircraft program office and development funding continues. Canada has spent more than $200 million on its participation in the development of the aircraft so far, according to DND documents.

The F-35 stealth fighter has become a major political headache for the Conservative government. Although the Liberal government originally signed on to a research-and-development program for the plane, the Conservatives significantly expanded that and then committed Canada to purchasing the aircraft, making it a linchpin of their defence policy.

But to deal with the ongoing controversy over the cost of the F-35 and allegations the government tried to hide the real price-tag of the stealth aircraft, the Conservative government launched a review of the proposed fighter jet purchase. Funding for the actual acquisition of the F-35 has been frozen and other jets are being examined.

But Royal Canadian Air Force officers still privately express their confidence the Conservative government will eventually purchase the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter. In 2012, Lt.-Gen. André Deschamps, then commander of the air force, told a House of Commons’ committee the service still anticipated receiving the stealth fighter. “Currently, from an air force perspective, we are focused on delivery and transition to the F-35,” he noted.

Public Works official Lucie Brosseau stated in an email to the Citizen that Canada has not committed to participating in the software facility, nor has it contributed any funds. “Canada remains a partner in the Joint Strike Fighter Program to benefit from economic opportunities resulting from its partnership and to keep the option on the table while it undertakes an evaluation of options,” she added.

On Aug. 9, the government issued an update on its ongoing review of the fighter jet procurement, stating that the DND had completed an analysis of the estimated life-cycle cost for the F-35. It also noted that “anticipated United States budget restrictions and their potential effects on F-35 prices remain an area of risk, as do the current forecasts for sustainment and operating costs, which would put pressure on future budgets.”

The update pointed out that it is estimated that seven to 11 aircraft would be lost over the life of the Canadian fighter aircraft fleet. The cost to replace those planes would be around $1 billion.

The controversy surrounding the purchase of the F-35 has centered on technical and cost issues, as well as the acquisition process. DND originally claimed the project would cost around $14.7 billion, but Parliamentary Budget Officer Kevin Page put that price tag at around $29 billion.

Auditor General Michael Ferguson also issued a report that concluded DND officials withheld key information from Parliament about the fighter jet purchase, underestimated costs and didn’t follow proper procurement rules.

Still, the F-35 has had strong support in government. Prime Minister Stephen Harper has labelled the jet a good deal for Canada.