While Canada’s CF-18 Hornet fleet, which has been in service since the 1980s, and has been considered one of the better airframes for long term usage, is approaching the end of its operational lifespan. These aircraft have been extended with various upgrades over the years, even some replacements with the purchase of a portion of Australia's legacy F/A-18C/D Hornet fleet, but they lack the cutting-edge technologies found in modern fifth-generation [5th Gen] fighters like the F-35 or even more contemporary modern aircrafts like the Legacy Hornet's replacement, the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet.
Maintenance and Sustainability: Keeping the CF-18 fleet operational as they age is becoming more challenging and expensive, as parts gradually become more scarce as the world shifts dynamics and many of the older airframes are phased out for more advanced equipment. While Canadian doctrine pushes for a singular airframe for fighters and such, and building around it, a rather extensive logistical supply for it; this may change as the current geopolitical climate shifts, and it will no doubt be an expensive cost either way.
Pairing the aged fleet and the added stress of more frequent maintenance cycles for the old fleet as it nears the end of it's airframe service life, will continue to leave larger and larger gaps in Canadian air defense capabilities, operations, etc. The added stress of sheer technical obsolescence is also something worth noting as a slew of the CF-18's technology is forever wrapped around the 1980s, below are a few listed examples, such as:
Avionics and Radar systems: The CF-18 was designed for much earlier technologies, it simply lacks the advanced sensors found on modern aircraft. While Canada has equipped its CF-18s with upgrades like the APG-79 radar system, these modifications still don’t compare to the capabilities of newer aircraft, such as the F-35 or F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, which have cutting-edge radar, sensor fusion, and electronic warfare systems.
Weapon Systems: The CF-18’s weapons systems are also increasingly outdated compared to newer fighters. For instance, while the CF-18 can carry a wide range of munitions, it lacks the integrated targeting systems that allow newer jets to carry out precision strikes with greater accuracy, The missile systems on the CF-18 are also not as advanced as those on fifth-generation aircraft, limiting its overall effectiveness in certain modern combat scenarios.
Cockpit and User Interface: The cockpit design and pilot interface on the CF-18 are increasingly considered outdated compared to modern aircraft like the F-35, which features digital cockpit displays, touchscreen interfaces, and a glass cockpit that allows for better situational awareness and easier operation. As a result, pilots flying the CF-18 may face limitations in terms of how quickly they can process information or respond to threats in a fast-moving combat environment.
With the CF-18 fleet requiring more intensive maintenance and being less capable than newer fighter aircraft, Canada faces challenges in ensuring air defense readiness. Key impacts include, but are not limited to:
Limited Operational Availability: As maintenance demands increase, the availability of CF-18s for operational missions decreases. More aircraft may be grounded for repairs or upgrades, reducing the total number of jets available for daily patrols, training, or rapid response.
Increased Downtime: Maintenance, especially for older aircraft, requires longer and more complex repair processes. When CF-18s are out of service for maintenance cycles, they cannot perform their roles in defending Canadian airspace or participating in NORAD operations, potentially leaving gaps in air defense.
Reduced Flexibility in Joint Operations: As the CF-18 fleet ages, Canada may face difficulties in keeping up with modern defense capabilities, particularly in joint operations with NATO or the U.S. military. The inter-operability with more modern fighters, such as the F-35, becomes limited, and Canada may have fewer options for participating in coalition air operations or in responding to new threats.
What makes the F-35 Lightning II appealing?
Aside from the "flex" of fielding a fleet of Fifth-Generational Stealth Multirole Fighters, it would not only aid in the future-proofing of the RCAF at an above-modest cost, but could also be heavily fitted for specific needs.
Operational Considerations:
Considering the F-35 for Canada's defense needs, several operational considerations must be weighed against other potential aircraft like the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, Eurofighter Typhoon, or Dassault Rafale; While all these fighters offer strong capabilities, the F-35 is a unique fifth-generation aircraft with cutting-edge features that can bring significant advantages to Canada’s air force. Below could be some operational considerations for choosing the F-35 over other fighter aircraft:
Arctic and Northern Operations: As mentioned, the F-35's capabilities are particularly suited for arctic operations, where long-range interception and low detectability are vital. The F-35's ability to operate in extreme conditions, along with its sensor suite for monitoring vast areas of airspace, makes it highly suited for Canada’s northern defense needs.
Search and Rescue Operations: While not typically associated with combat, the F-35 could also support search and rescue operations in the vast Canadian wilderness, especially in the Arctic.
Fleet Modernization and Future-Proofing: Adopting the F-35 would definitely align with Canada’s need to modernize its air combat fleet to remain relevant in future conflicts and better protect Canadian airspace and territory. The F-35 is a fifth-generation fighter with advanced capabilities that are expected to stay relevant for decades, even well into the 2070s. As global threats evolve, Canada would be better positioned with an advanced platform that can handle emerging threats with guaranteed support for the next half-century at a bare minimum.
Strategic Surprise: The F-35’s stealth also would enable the RCAF to penetrate enemy defenses undetected, and conduct precision strikes with minimal risk, a capability that other fighter jets (like the CF-18 or Super Hornet) simply cannot match.
NORAD and NATO Integration: The F-35’s low observability and ability to integrate seamlessly with NORAD's radar systems would significantly enhance Canada’s air defense role in North American airspace. The shared data network between Canada and the United States in NORAD would be far more effective with F-35s in both nations’ fleets, allowing for joint intercepts and better early warning system capabilities across the board.
The Cost of Life Cycle(s) and other components:
The F-35A Lightning II is estimated to cost $80 Billion (USD) over the entire lifespan of the fleet, this is including everything from the final phases of the logistical network for the F-35, Cost-Per Flight-Hour such as replacement parts, maintenance after-flight, storage, etc. for the current 88-airframe order that the RCAF has placed for the F-35, that equals to an estimated $1.955 Billion per year for a 45-year service life of the 88 F-35A Lightning IIs for the Royal Canadian Air Force.
Aircraft, Acquisition Cost (Per Unit), Operating Cost (Per Flight Hour), Total Lifecycle Cost (Per Aircraft)
F-35A Lightning II, $80-$85 million USD, $36,000 USD, $200 million USD
Dassault Rafale, $75-$85 million USD, $15,000-$20,000 USD, $85-$90 million USD
Eurofighter Typhoon, $100 million USD,$20,000-$30,000 USD,$90-$100 million USD
Block III F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, $70-$75 million USD, $20,000-$25,000 USD, $80 million USD
JAS-39E Gripen, $80-$100 million USD, $12,000-$15,000 USD, $75-$80 million USD
Block-70/72 F-16V Viper, $65-$70 million USD, $8,000-$12,000 USD, $60-$70 million USD
Regardless of the political climate, and the upsetting language used by the current U.S Administration, the RCAF needs a new fighter within the close of the decade to replace the CF-18. While a very real potential likelihood of Canada breaking and choosing to operate a handful of F-35As such as the 16 airframes they had already paid for, and a new airframe sourced from the European Union, the Canadians will have to pay upwards of 150% in an effort to build a whole new logistical network for a European fighter. Whereas ordering Super Hornets from the U.S could easily expand upon the existing CF-18 Legacy Hornet's logistical network, and simplify a lot of things, the Super Hornet could potentially serve Canada as a "stop-gap" design of an aircraft to buy them a few more decades before having to purchase non-U.S sourced fighters while also being a quick, cost-effective fix.