GATINEAU, QUEBEC -- (Marketwire) -- 03/03/13 -- The National Fighter Procurement Secretariat today released the questionnaire to industry in order to obtain detailed information on the technical capability of available fighter aircraft. The information gathered through the questionnaire will support a rigorous examination of available fighter aircraft options on the market and how they could accomplish the missions outlined in the Canada First Defence Strategy.

This questionnaire has benefitted from the oversight and guidance of the Independent Review Panel, which is ensuring that all of the work supporting the evaluation of options is both rigorous and impartial, and that the results to be made public are comprehensive and understandable. The evaluation of options work will be completed as expeditiously as possible and will culminate in a final report that captures the full analysis of the capabilities, costs and risks of each option.

Engaging with industry is consistent with the Secretariat's commitment to transparency and openness, and integral to a comprehensive market analysis-a key part of the evaluation of options. Five identified companies with aircraft in production-The Boeing Company, Dassault Aviation, EADS Eurofighter, Lockheed Martin and Saab Group-were previously sent a draft of the questionnaire on January 25, 2013, for comment. The National Fighter Procurement Secretariat received input from all five companies and their feedback is reflected in the final questionnaire, which the companies are being asked to complete within six weeks. A second questionnaire to obtain information on costs will be sent in draft form to the five companies for comment at a later date.

The evaluation of options to replace Canada's CF-18 fleet is part of the Harper Government's Seven-Point Plan launched in response to Chapter 2, Replacing Canada's Fighter Jets, of the Auditor General of Canada's 2012 Spring Report. The Plan was put in place to assist the Government in making the best possible decision on replacing Canada's fleet of CF-18 fighter aircraft. The Harper Government is committed to examining all options and has made significant progress. Until the Seven-Point Plan is complete, the Government will not make a decision on the replacement for the CF-18 fighter jets and all options remain on the table.

For additional information, visit the National Fighter Procurement Secretariat website at: http://www.tpsgc-pwgsc.gc.ca/app-acq/stamgp-lamsmp/snac-nfps-eng.html.

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