Canada will squeeze even more flying time out of its aging CF-18s, keeping the jets operating for another 15 years. Structural improvements to maintain the fleet have also been ongoing and another upgrade program is in the works, with the aim to keep the planes flying until 2025, according to the RCAF. It is unclear if yet another upgrade would be needed beyond that to keep the planes flying from 2025 to 2032. The briefing to industry representatives was the first official government confirmation that the RCAF would stretch out the life of the aircraft until 2032. The Liberals have committed to buying 88 new fighter jets in a program that could cost as much as $19 billion.

Source: National Post January 28, 2018 17:26 UTC