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The RCAF will keep the CF-18s flying until 2025 and is now examining what is needed to do that.

By then the CF-18s will be 43 years old.

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But could the aircraft continue to be operational beyond that date? With governments the way they are, and procurement as slow as it is, is it possible the CF-18s would need to continue flying until a replacement is acquired?

The decision would be a political one. But if that decision were made it would be up to the RCAF to accomplish that task.

Defence Watch asked Lt.-Col. Jean-Marc “Brez” Brzezinski of the Fighter Capability Office whether the aircraft could keep flying beyond 2025.

First he noted that the life extension to 2025 is not absolute.

“It does not mean everything will be shut down of the 31st of December 2025,” Brzezinski explained. “What it means is that they will stop allocating such a large resource of personnel and finances for the (aircraft). But the aircraft itself will keep on flying for a few more years. Having said that, you have to remember we are managing it to the date we are told to.

If the fleet keeps on flying beyond that, that does not mean the majority of the airplanes will be flying. It means some of the aircraft will be flying.

If carry on past 2025 it would involve substantial investment to ensure the life beyond 2025. Anything beyond that would be a substantial cost.”