캐나다의 F-35 구입 결정이 올바른 이유...

 

지난 7월 캐나다 정부가 F-35 JSF 를 구입하기로 결정했다는 발표를 한 바 있습니다. 캐나다 정부의 이러한 결정에 대해서

캐나다 국내에서 찬반 양론이 있는 가운데, 캐나다 군 출신 2명의 퇴역 장성이 5개항에 걸쳐 캐나다 정부의 F-35 구입 결정

이 올바른 것임을 주장하는 글을 캐나다 Toronto Star 紙에 기고한 내용 전문을 아래 소개합니다.

 

좀 더 정확히 설명하자면, 캐나다의 F-35 구입 결정에 반대하는 반대론자들의 주장 5개항에 대해서 각각 반박하는 형식의

기고문 입니다.

 

아래 5개항에서, 캐나다가 이러한 5세대 전투기가 필요하냐는 주장 부터, 단독 수의계약 형태의 문제점 지적등 5개 항에

걸친 내용에 반박하는 내용으로써, 캐나다 군 퇴역 장성의 입장에서 밝힌 내용들에 대해서 충분히 공감이 가는 내용으로

보여집니다.

 

그러나 F-35 조달 가격 문제에 있어서는 긍정적인 면만 부각시킨 의견이 아닌가 하는 판단이 듭니다. 최소 3,000 대 이상

의 F-35 판매를 예상하는 가운데, 캐나다의 도입 가격이 내려갈 가능성과, F-35 JSF 개발 사업에 참여하고 있는 캐나다

기업의 혜택등을 연결시킨 주장 입니다만, 현재의 F-35 개발 일정과 개발비의 추가 상승 우려를 감안 한다면, 다소 우려

되는 부분으로 이해가 됩니다.

 

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Opinion: F-35 jets right choice for Canada

Toronto Star, 08/17/2010

Authors: Paul Manson and Angus Watt

Copyright (c) 2010 The Toronto Star

 

The announcement of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter to replace the CF-18 has sparked a flurry of debate, some of it ill-informed. The most common misconceptions are listed below, together with our own response to these.

 

• We don’t need a fighter aircraft. Canada has national interests to protect, and international responsibilities to fulfill. This will not change. The military remains a key instrument of national power, providing a clear demonstration that we take our obligations seriously, whether these involve protection of our sovereignty, peacekeeping operations, fighting terrorism and, yes, fighting a war if necessary. We need to equip our military properly to meet whatever challenges might arise in an uncertain and unpredictable future. The F-35 will serve until at least 2050, and probably beyond. Over that time, Canada will need an air force that can reasonably handle whatever risks and threats may appear. Like fire insurance for your house, you can’t buy it after the fact.

 

• The F-35 has only one engine. Contrary to popular opinion, the CF-18 was not chosen because it had two engines. Even 30 years ago engine reliability was so good that this was not a significant factor in the selection of our current fighter. Since then, jet engine technology has evolved so much that a single-engine fighter is a viable choice for Canada.

 

• We don’t need to replace the CF-18 until at least 2017. Why choose now? The 28-year-old CF-18 has recently been updated and will serve capably until 2017, beyond which serious structural problems will arise. A major aircraft purchase usually requires at least five years to complete; the F-35 contract, therefore, needs to be signed by 2012. It is not premature to start the process now.

 

• The F-35 is too expensive. It is true that the F-35 represents a large defence investment. However, there are significant cost advantages due to the large customer base; at least 3,000 will be sold to a variety of countries. This mass production will reduce Canada’s cost, as will the sharing of the ongoing support costs among the partner nations. Moreover, purchasing aircraft as part of a large group of nations assures interoperability, an important military consideration. Our aerospace industries will also have the potential to compete for worldwide contracts to support this large fleet, providing thousands of high-tech jobs for many years. The return on Canada’s investment will be very impressive indeed.

 

• Canada could get a better deal through open competition. In theory, an open competition might produce a cheaper contract. The reality is different in this particular case. Mergers of large aircraft companies and the huge start-up investments required to produce a modern fighter severely limit the choices. If there existed another fifth generation fighter with comparable capabilities and costs, within another broad international customer group, perhaps a valid competition could be run. Unfortunately, other potential candidates are fourth generation fighters nearing the end of their operational relevance or small-batch fifth generation aircraft having reduced capabilities. The F-35 manufacturer, Lockheed Martin, has been forced to ruthlessly control both production and support costs to satisfy its F-35 customers, many of whom would cancel their orders should the price become excessive. Furthermore, with so many international customers, F-35 pricing visibility will be very high indeed, assuring a fair price for Canada.

 

We firmly believe that the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter represents the best choice for Canada. The government’s announcement should have included more of the rigorous expert analysis that went into its decision. Ultimately, as with the once-controversial CF-18 selection, Canadians will come to understand the correctness of the decision, and its importance for the future security of our nation.

 

Retired general Paul Manson is a former Chief of the Defence Staff. Earlier in his military career he was program manager for the CF-18 Acquisition. Retired lieutenant-general Angus Watt is a former Chief of the Air Staff and Commander of Canada’s Air Force who retired in 2009.

 

 

  ⓒ DND, Canada

 

  ⓒ DND, Canada

 

  CF-18A ⓒ DND, Canada

 

  CF-18A ⓒ DND, Canada