Both Countries Reiterate Commitment To JSF
Calling it crucial to the defense of North America, Defense
Secretary Leon E. Panetta and Canadian Defense Minister Peter G.
MacKay emphasized recently that both nations are committed to
developing the F-35 joint strike fighter. At a news conference held
in conjunction with the Halifax International Security Forum
Friday, the defense leaders said budget pressures should not stand
in the way of fielding the next-generation fighter jet.
(L-R) MacKay, Panetta
Panetta said he's seen media reports that the United States is
not committed to the joint strike fighter. "Let me make very clear
that the United States is committed to the development of the F-35,
and to a cooperative relationship with the F-35 with our Canadian
friends," he said. "The F-35 is going to be an essential fighter
that will help in [the North American Aerospace Defense Command]
and will be the future in helping us with security challenges that
we face."
Despite looming budget cuts, Panetta said, the F-35's
capabilities are essential. "I feel very confident that we'll get
funding for the F-35 program," he said. "This is the fighter plane
for the future, and in some ways, we really have no alternative.
This is the plane that is going to be able to provide the
technology [and] the capabilities for the future.
"We need to have this [aircraft]," Panetta continued. "It's true
for us. It's true for our partners -- not only Canadians, but
others -- who are going to work with us and participate with us in
the development of the F-35."
Making budget decisions involves looking for savings, the
secretary said, citing areas such as procurement reform. "But we
also have to look at areas where we continue to invest in the
future, and the F-35 is one of those areas," he added.
MacKay said the "eye-watering technology aboard the F-35" is why
Canada has chosen to participate in the program. "It's the ability
to dominate and own the airspace over continental North America,"
he said. "There is no fifth-generation aircraft other than the F-35
available to Canada and the United States, so all of the
hypothetical discussions -- and quite negative discussions, quite
frankly -- about this program are really just clatter and
noise.
"This program is going ahead," he continued. "Clearly, budgetary
pressures are going to lead to speculation. We are dealing with our
budgets, as all countries are dealing with this budget, but we are
not wavering on our commitment to this program."
Every defense department has certain pillars, MacKay said. "This
is one of those pillars: having the ability to protect your
sovereignty. And there is a direct link -- a direct link -- between
our national sovereignty and our ability to protect our airspace,"
he said.
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