Last Three of Canada’s C-130Js Go Through Final Acceptance: Photo

The last 3 C-130J's for the RCAF are being prepared for final acceptance, ahead of schedule I might add. As much as the opposition whines about sole source contracts, the Conservatives have been able to get us C-17's and a fleet of new Hercs among other things. If the Liberals were in power we would still be awaiting the Airbus A400M, read more at Defense Watch Last Three of Canada’s C-130Js Go Through Final Acceptance: Photo

Now if we can only get our buffs replaced. Don't get me wrong I think the Buffaloes have been great aircraft, but they are getting long in the tooth. A possible replacement would the C-127J, a plane that share mostly the same cockpit as the C-130J. Seem though it might another year before we even select another aircraft, much build it.

13 can be a lucky number!

The 13th C-130J is delivered to the RCAF, this is the last one for this year, the final 4 arrive in 2012, for a total of 17. Photo courtesy of "Defense Watch"

Just remember the Liberals and NDP say "sole sourcing" is bad because you will end up with stuff like C-130J, Leopard 2's, C-17's and Chinook helicopters. All of which will make the Canadian military more effective and therefore we may be called upon to do more as the US scales back.

To be fair to the critics I think the F-35 is a plane to far and we should take a hard look at what we need in a fighter. My concern is that we are buying far to few airframe and throwing all our eggs in one untried basket. I would be far more comfortable with a mixed fleet of 80 or so fighter aircraft made up of Super Hornets and perhaps the F-35.