The Public Services and Procurement Canada has confirmed that the country has formally approached the Australian Government for the potential purchase of Boeing F/A-18 Hornet fighter aircraft.
An Expression of Interest (EoI) has been submitted by Canada last month to acquire the used Australian Hornets and associated parts for the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF).
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Details regarding the availability and cost of the aircraft and associated parts are expected by the end of this year.
A statement issued by the Public Services and Procurement Canada read: “Canada is building a more agile, better-equipped military while ensuring the utmost care and prudence in the handling of public funds.
“The equipment they need to do their jobs and protect Canadians is a priority.”
The EoI follows after Canada began discussions to assess the potential purchase of Australian Hornets in late August.
The Royal Australian Air Force’s 71 F/A-18A/B Hornets will be replaced with 72 fifth-generation F-35A Lightning II aircraft next year.
The Boeing F/A-18 Hornet fighter aircraft will temporarily fill an existing fighter capability gap. It will also supplement Canada’s current legacy CF-18 fleet until an open and transparent competition can be completed, for which preparatory work is already underway.
Meanwhile, the Government of Canada has suspended separate discussions with Boeing surrounding the interim purchase of Super Hornet aircraft.
Last month, Canada requested the delivery of ten F/A-18E and eight F/A-18F Super Hornet aircraft from the US for an estimated cost of $5.23bn.
