Unfortunately the Canadian public has a benign security environment view. This is a partial consequence of living next to a superpower. As former PM Brian Mulroney once said, "Canadians are a bunch of whiners". Social handouts are more popular than taking care of the national interest. I agree that the F-35 will hopefully be selected but the number likely won't be 65. We we be luckly to get 50.
I hope the Govt has a reality check then - because the russian international submissions on extending their continental shelf and redraw their internationally recognised boundarys due to ice melting has a direct impact on potential future canadian resources revenue....
An election will be due in 2020. Trudeau has said that there will be no major defence procurements until 2020 which means in his second mandate.
The Canadian populace are so apathetic about defence in general that Trudeau can pretty much defer major defence acquisitions until hell freezes over. A replacement for the Victoria class subs is unlikely unless the USA demands Canada step up (once the Australia sub replacement is up and running there should be a joint USA-Australia (and Japan) to force Canada to buy into the program IMHO.
Only direct Russian action to re-define boundaries will get any reality check by Canadian pollies. By then it will be too late unless the USA is willing to intervene. Frankly the USA should just demand a portion of what Russia wants to claim and call it a day. Denmark should do the same. Canadian sovereignty of its Arctic territory is an oxymoron.
That would also extend if the RAAF get more aircraft. I was just reading something this afternoon that the JPO said there could be another dealy getting to full 3F standard, not sure if that would trigger the RAAF buy in or not.
The F-35 is the only logical selection ... and as time goes on this will become even more obvious.
Why do you think that US & Canadian relations with Russia will or should improve? Russia has done nothing to make that happen. Secondly, forget the Canadian governement acquiring the F15 for the RCAF. If they are balking at buying the F35 because of cost then that well and truly excludes the F15 because it is more expensive to acquire and operate than the F35 plus it has signifcantly less capability options. As for a upgraded F15 being better than the F35 that is absolute rubbish because all it would be is an expensive 4th++ generation aircraft Vs a 5th generation aircraft with far greater capabilities. It would be like taking a knife to a gun fight. I would suggest that you do some serious reading up on the F35 from reputable sources and Russian sites are not reputable especially regarding the F35.
The need more more aircraft is the replacement of existing aircraft which are become uneconomical to sustain, number of aircraft reflects the commitments that RCAF has under NATO and North Anerican defence treaty, as it stand now they cannot meet those commitments due to aircraft loses and fatigue.
As much as I hate fighter vs fighter comparisons It is worth looking at this comparison between the F-35 and F-15E.
I think one big difference between Australia and Canada (include NZ too) is that Australia has had enemy attacks on its homeland within living memory. That tends to colour a nations attitude towards defence.
Our two countries are in very different environments. I am not sure how this grows brain cells with regard to self- preservation but I am assuming a fair bit. Pollies in Australia get it too a much greater degree than Canadian pollies. When it comes to the general public, their perception of national defence is a disgrace. I will admit that Australia needs to spend more on defence than Canada (geography and no friendly Superpower next store) but Canada is not pulling his weight. Trump may not offer much benefit to Canada but if he forces that POS junior to upgrade our capabilities then that is ok by me.