Canada explores CF-18 replacement

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GATINEAU, Quebec, Jan. 29 (UPI) -- The Canadian government is asking select aircraft manufacturers about possible replacement fighters for its CF-18 fleet.

The request for information was sent to Boeing, Dassault Aviation, EADS Eurofighter, Lockheed Martin and Saab. In the draft questionnaire, the National Fighter Procurement Secretariat Group solicited detailed information on technical capabilities of fighter aircraft now in production or scheduled to be in production.

After feedback from the companies is reviewed and incorporated, a final questionnaire will be sent to the companies for completion, the agency said.

The second questionnaire pertaining to costs and the potential benefits to Canadian industry will be developed and reviewed by the Independent Review Panel and subsequently sent in draft form to industry for comment.

The review of possible replacements for the country's CF-18s is part of a seven-point plan introduced last year as a result of an Auditor General's report on replacing the fighters.