"The competition for a permanent fleet will be informed by the outcomes of the defence policy review next year," Sajjan said. The urgent, sole-source purchase of Super Hornets is intended to cover what Sajjan says is a growing "capability gap" where Canada is strained to meet all of its NATO and North American air defence commitments. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau promised during the last election not to buy the Lockheed Martin-manufactured stealth fighter. Sajjan first floated the notion of an urgent "capability gap" last spring, but the concept has remained ill-defined. The U.S. defence giant says it recognizes the decision to buy Super Hornets is an interim measure.

Source: CBC News November 22, 2016 17:50 UTC