John Ivison: There are no cheap alternatives to the F-35s for Canada

          An F-35 takes off, like the estimated cost of replacing Canada's fleet of CF-18 fighters has.


Canadians likely reacted with either confusion or anger when they saw the $46-billion price tag for the F-35 fighter jets.
The confused, among whom I count myself, asked: How can we possibly calculate operating costs 42 years into the future when we can’t accurately predict the price of gas next week?
This is an imperfect science — if, for example, inflation exceeds the rate anticipated, billions would be added to the $46-billion price-tag.

The angry took the numbers at face value and demanded we go with a cheaper option.
The problem is, though, that a cheaper replacement for the CF-18s may be hard to find.

http://fullcomment.nationalpost.com/2012/12/13/john-ivison-there-are-no-cheap-alternatives-to-the-f-35s-for-canada/