Canadian Lightnings

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The government of Canada announced on 16 July 2010 it plans to acquire the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II as the country’s next-generation fighter aircraft. Canada plans to acquire sixty-five F-35As with deliveries expected to begin in 2016. The F-35 will replace Canada’s fleet of CF-188 (popularly referred to as CF-18) Hornet fighters that entered service in the early 1980s. Canada’s CF-188 force is based at 3 Wing, CFB Bagotville, Quebec, and at 4 Wing, CFB Cold Lake, Alberta. The three variants of the F-35 variants now in production were developed together and will use the same sustainment infrastructure worldwide. The F-35 will replace at least thirteen types of combat aircraft for eleven nations.