Canadian Minister of National Defence, Peter MacKay, announced this morning the plan to purchase 65 F35 Joint Strike Fighters.
This purchase constitutes the largest military purchase in history.
The new fighter aircraft would replace the current fleet of CF-18s starting in 2017. Those fighters were reportedly recently upgraded at a cost of $2.6-billion.
Peter MacKay said that the cost of acquisiton woud be $9 Billion. Peter McKay said that the $9 Billion is the cost for 65 aircraft with all its on board equipment. The main stream media however, is publishing $16 Billion, which is what the Liberal Party suggests.
Liberal critics have estimated the total cost at around $16 Billion with inclusion of the in service support costs. The government says that those costs will still have to be negotiated. This is when Canadian industry can compete.
Marc Garneau suggests that the government risks wasting taxpayers money.
Marc Garneau, spokesman for the Liberal Party’s industry and science issues, told reporters that Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s government may be poised to announce the F-35 purchase without seeking bids from competing firms, citing media reports. He said the contract risks wasting billions of taxpayers’ dollars.
Peter MacKay called the Liberals Hypocrites, since they started working toward that deal back in 2000 and had invested money to get the F35.
Canadians should recall the helicopter deal reached by Brian Mulroney and then canceled by Jean Chretien just to see the acquisition double. Let's not make the same mistake again.
The F-35, Joint Strike Fighter. 
Canadian Defense Minister  announced a 9 billion dollar plan to buy 65  on Friday morning. It would be the largest military purchase in the history of Canada. "I'm convinced the F-35 is good for Canada, good for Canadians, good for the Forces and good for Canadian industry," said MacKay during a press conference.

F-35 aircraft would replace the current fleet of . The  officially opposed the deal , saying that it required further review. The Party stated that they would place the deal on hold if elected.

Canada is one of several nations that assisted in the development of the F-35 and has invested over 168 million  into the program for over a decade. The new fighters would replace current aircraft from 2017 onward.