Government approves Boeing’s participation in upcoming fighter competition
OTTAWA — Boeing has been officially approved to participate in the multibillion-dollar competition to replace Canada’s CF-18 fighter jets — though the U.S. aerospace giant insists it still hasn’t decided whether it will actually bid.
The federal government revealed on Thursday that Boeing, which makes the Super Hornet jet, was one of five companies approved as potential bidders in the upcoming competition to deliver 88 new fighters.
Companies had been given until Feb. 9 to indicate whether they were interested in participating in the competition, which the government will formally launch early next year after several rounds of consultations with industry.
But while Boeing will keep a seat at the table, company spokesman Scott Day said in a statement that there is no guarantee it will submit a formal bid for its Super Hornets when the time comes.