Originally Posted by
George K Lee
I'd suggest that there will likely be far more diagnostic and analytical information available for the F135 (and probably actual flying hours) by the time that Canada comes to the F-35.
Something will have gone horribly pear-shaped if there isn't. Actually I don't think a single engine is an automatic disqualifying factor for the RCAF mission these days
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And of course the Arrow had twin engines for speed, range and weapon capacity, all well in excess of many contemporary fighters. Arrow and J-20 are an interesting comparison - maybe the Canadians should invite a bid from Chengdu?
Iirc, even the famed Arrow only had about a 400 mile mission radius, enough to cover Canada's industrial core, but nowhere near what it would take to patrol the entire country. Why Canada still needs fast jets today seems a valid question. Pending a plausible answer, perhaps it makes sense to minimize the associated outlays.