While recently watching a TV program on the Learjet 65, it occurred to me: Cancel the purchase order for F-35 stealth fighters and order Canadian military specification Lear jets to meet our future requirements.
The retail price of this high-altitude, high-performance jet, which would still be made in the U.S. with Canadian Pratt & Whitney engines, Corinthian leather and a water closet is about $15 million.
Add a few rocket launchers, ground radar, pod cameras, .50-calibre wing guns and Kevlar panels for those vulnerable areas, and we should be able to get one in the air for about $30 million.
With this unit, we can send two pilots skyward with a few radar/surveillance specialists and still have room for a politician or two who has to get to an official engagement (fishing, playoff game, rodeo or rock concert). Truly a win-win.
Here's the loyalty bonus - Learjet is owned by Bombardier, a Canadian company. If our political and military leaders were truly honest, this modified business jet would meet the needs of 80 per cent of the Canadian air force's requirements.
Should our elected leaders still be hellbent on squandering our tax dollars on stealth fighters, could we negotiate a four-year lease program (maintenance included) for eight or 10 planes? Then we could determine if F-35s are really suited to our "peacekeeping" role. If they are not, send them back at the end of the lease, no hard feelings.
Steve Hertling
Nanaimo
