UPDATE--Canada to freeze $9B F-35 purchase-consider alternatives

Canada's National Post is reporting that the government will freeze spending on the $9B acquisition of the F-35 and consider alternatives in seeking a replacement for the CF-18.

This is fallout from a Canadian Auditor General report that lands Tuesday which will accuse the DND of misleading parliament over the F-35 decision.

The recent Canadian budget released by the government states that a CF-18 replacement has to be "affordable". It also states that combat jets have to be used for operations at home and abroad. If this requirement is followed through, it is unlikely 65 combat aircraft will be enough for operational needs.

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UPDATE-- (H/T- Mark)

CBC News has learned that Auditor General Michael Ferguson will focus his criticism on the air force and on procurement officials inside the Defence Department.

The government is expected to strip the Defence Department of its responsibility for the program and set up a special secretariat of deputy ministers inside the Public Works Department to manage the program.

Maybe they could call them... the Defence Material Organisation? Just a thought.