Canadian DND misleads the public about the F-35 while maple syrup runs slow

While the Canadian DND misleads the public about F-35 progress, the Dutch (like the U.K.) have pushed their F-35 orders way out past the plan (PDF); and certainly way beyond this plan (PDF) where all the F-35s for the Dutch and Norway would have been procured by 2018.

2003; it was so long ago.

This allows the U.S. to buy most of the mistake-jets and partner nations can sit by and see if the program makes progress or folds. It makes sense because the program is far from being ready.

“This follows Norway's announcement that it plans to order most of its aircraft no earlier than 2016, to support 2018 deliveries and a 2019 initial operational capability (IOC). The latter date is to be confirmed, since Norway plans to declare IOC with the Block 4 configuration. Once the US has firmed up its own Block 3 IOC date (not yet declared by the US operator, but looking like 2018) the availability of Block 4 should become clearer.”

Industry (and their investors)--especially small industries--will have problems. Where are all those orders?

All this: for a second tier fighter that won’t be able to stand up to growing threats.