In a recent aviation incident, Canadian military aircraft 15003 found itself in a precarious situation during a joint exercise organized by the USAF Air Mobility Command. The aircraft rolled into a French Air Force A400M after being parked insecurely with unchocked wheels the previous evening, resulting in a collision that caused significant damage to 15003’s vertical stabilizer and rudder, nearly severing it.
The incident has raised questions about the fate of 15003, with some observers speculating that the plane may be beyond repair and could potentially be scrapped where it sits. However, the Department of National Defence (DND) has not yet made a final decision regarding the aircraft’s future.
According to defence spokesperson Andrew McKelvey, “The final investigation into this matter is currently ongoing. (A) flight safety investigation report will be produced and released after its conclusion. As for the aircraft itself, a course of action is still being determined.”
Meanwhile, another military aircraft, 15004, has been grounded in Montreal for three weeks, presumably for maintenance, while 15005 is actively involved in refueling Canadian fighter jets participating in an exercise in the U.K.
Franco Terrazzano, the federal director of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation, expressed concerns about the government’s ability to control costs related to military procurement projects. He stated, “The feds seem to have a hard time parking a plane, so how are they going to make sure the costs don’t run away on taxpayers? Time and time again, we’ve seen big procurement budgets balloon, so the feds must make sure there are guardrails in place to keep taxpayers from paying an even bigger bill.”
This incident comes on the heels of Canada’s recent $70-billion deal to purchase 88 F-35 fighter jets from Lockheed Martin in January, intended to replace the aging CF-18 fleet. The Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) is expected to receive its first four F-35 jets in 2026.
As the investigation into the 15003 incident continues and concerns about cost control persist, it remains essential for the Canadian government to ensure transparency, accountability, and safety in its military aviation projects. Stay tuned to nationalpost.com for the latest updates on this developing story and other critical news. Don’t forget to subscribe to our politics newsletter, First Reading, for exclusive scoops, in-depth articles, and thought-provoking commentary.
