F-35 procurement troubles - hurt relations with allies?

[Oscar]

F-35 procurement troubles may hurt military's relations with allies

[ http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/f-35-pr ... -1.2967731 ]

Internal document says tough procurement rules affect hundreds of foreign deals signed by the Forces

By Dean Beeby, CBC News Posted: Feb 24, 2015 5:00 AM ET| Last Updated: Feb 24, 2015 5:00 AM ET

The widening fallout from a botched program to replace Canada's aging CF-18 fighter jets may be damaging the military's relationships with its international allies.

A defence briefing note says hundreds of arrangements the military has with allies to share facilities and services are being called into question, and must be reviewed as if they were formal supply contracts.

The arrangements now are subject to a time-consuming procurement process that is tying the department in knots and leaving the military sometimes unable to commit to joint operations internationally.

"Increasingly, Canada is viewed as a challenging partner with which to work," says the note, dated last August, outlining the problem for then deputy minister Richard Fadden.

"Canada often struggles to meet timelines to participate in international co-operative activities. Recently we have [been] excluded from some partnership opportunities due to our inability to commit in a timely fashion to joint efforts."

"This means additional costs will accrue to Canada going it alone."

CBC News obtained the briefing document under the Access to Information Act.

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