Canada could buy as many as half of Australia’s fleet of F/A-18 Classic Hornet jet fighters thanks to a Donald Trump-initiated trade war and Ottawa’s abandonment of its high-tech replacement.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is tipped to announce next week the purchase of the Classic Hornets, with Australian military officials visiting the country in late November, according to Canadian media reports.
The Australian Defence Force confirmed negotiations were under way but did not provide any details on how many aircraft would be sold or a timetable for the transfer.
‘‘The Australian Department of Defence is in the process of implementing its plan to dispose of its F/A-18A/B Classic Hornets,’’ a statement said.
‘‘Defence can confirm it has received an Expression of Interest from the Canadian government on 29 September for the purchase of a number of Australia’s F/A-18A/B Classic Hornets and associated spares. Defence is continuing to assist Canada in regards to their EOI.’’
The Royal Australian Air Force is replacing the 71 F/A-18 Classic Hornets with 72 F-35 Joint Strike Fighters, with the last aircraft slated for retirement in 2023. The oldest planes have been flying with the RAAF for more than 30 years.
Canada was also a JSF customer but Mr Trudeau has kept his election promise to withdraw from the sale.
The Canadians entered negotiations to buy Boeing-built Super Hornets but that plan fell through in retaliation by Ottawa after the Trump administration slapped massive tariffs on Canadian aircraft manufacturer Bombardier, alleging it sold passenger planes at below cost price.
Australian Strategic Policy Institute analyst Andrew Davies said he had heard the Canadians were looking to buy 30-40 aircraft.
Canada was a suitable prospective buyer because its air force already operates F/A-18s and as a fellow member of the Five Eyes intelligence network there would be little impediment to selling them the aircraft, particularly its sophisticated US avionics systems.
Dr Davies doubted the sale would leave the RAAF with a shortage of aircraft as the F-35s were due to enter service next year.
