I've no doubt there remain many stalwart Boeing C-17 supporters in Canada, but this disgruntled "taxpayer" at the "Canada and the Boeing C-17" blog makes a compellingly reasonable case that Ottawa wasted its money.
"I am certain that there will be a day, in the not too distant future, when the top brass of the CF will wish that the 4 Billion spent on these four Boeing C-17s had been spent on something more necessary than long range Strategic Transport. I am ready to bet money on it."Ouch. That's the conclusion. Here are some of the reasons.
"Are we going to be continuously flying LAV-IIIs from one end of the country to another just to justify owning C-17s? Maybe we will have to pave and extend the runway in Alert so at least C-17s can perform the bi-annual Boxtop operations? Who knows what they will come up with?"Of course, Boeing's sales case is that the C-17 can perform humanitarian missions. Not just be a purely military asset.
"Although these C-17s have been promoted as useful for natural disaster relief, in 18 months, they have only been used three times in such cases, and in all three cases, they performed duties the CC-150 Polaris or civilian-chartered aircraft could have done for much less money."
on November 17, 2008 8:52 PM | Reply
If Canada is going to deploy forces abroad, doesn't it need transports to move equipment and supplies? If civilian transports were interchangeable with military transports there would be no military transport market.
on November 17, 2008 10:41 PM | Reply
Yes the C-17 purchase was expensive.
But it sure nice to be able to load those four C-17’s up at moments notice and fly to any where it the world at moments notice. The C-17’s are also crucial for Canada in maintaining her artic sovereignty. The C-17's give Canada punch, as we can now hit anyone hard and fast before they even see us coming. A lot more of a deterrent then a ICMB that will never be launched!
on November 18, 2008 3:02 PM | Reply
Or, Canada can lease its C-17s to SALIS or other pooled operators. Thus getting a return on the underutilized asset.
on June 18, 2009 7:20 PM | Reply
Where it is possible to buy the,
on June 18, 2009 7:21 PM | Reply
Where it is possible to buy the,