
Canada to review F-35 fighter deal amid trade tensions with US
Minister Bill Blair tasked with reviewing the deal
Defense Ministry press secretary Laurent de Casanove stated that Carney had instructed Minister Bill Blair to assess whether the F-35 deal with the US is in Canada's best interest. Blair will explore all viable options while consulting with the army's Chief of Staff, Ministry of Defense, and the air force.
Details of the F-35 purchase agreement
Canada previously agreed to purchase 88 F-35 fighter jets from the US at a cost of USD 85 million each. The contract included a mandatory purchase of 16 jets, while the remaining part of the deal was non-binding.
Replacement of aging CF-18 jets
The F-35 jets are intended to replace Canada's aging McDonnell Douglas CF-18 fleet. According to the deal, the first of the 88 fighter jets is scheduled for delivery in 2026, with the final 18 jets expected to be delivered by 2032.
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Gulf Today
9 hours ago
- Gulf Today
S.Korea halts loudspeaker broadcasts aimed at North
South Korea's military shut down loudspeakers broadcasting anti-North Korea propaganda along the inter-Korean border on Wednesday, marking the new liberal government's first concrete step toward easing tensions between the war-divided rivals. The South resumed the daily loudspeaker broadcasts in June last year following a yearslong pause in retaliation for North Korea flying trash-laden balloons toward the South in a psychological warfare campaign. South Korea's Defense Ministry said the move, ordered by President Lee Jae-myung, was part of efforts "to restore trust in inter-Korean relations and promote peace on the Korean Peninsula." Kang Yu-jung, Lee's spokesperson, described the decision as a "proactive step" to reduce military tensions and ease the burden for South Koreans residing in border areas, who have also been affected by North Korea's retaliatory loudspeaker broadcasts. North Korea, which is extremely sensitive to any outside criticism of its authoritarian leadership and its third-generation ruler, Kim Jong Un, didn't immediately comment on the step by Seoul. South Korea reactivated its front-line loudspeakers to blast propaganda messages and K-pop songs toward the North last year in response to thousands of trash balloons that Pyongyang flew toward South Korea to drop substances including wastepaper, cloth scraps, cigarette butts and even manure. From May to November last year, North Korea flew about 7,000 balloons toward South Korea in 32 separate occasions, according to the South's military. The North said that its balloon campaign came after South Korean activists sent over balloons filled with anti-North Korean leaflets, as well as USB sticks filled with popular South Korean songs and dramas. Trash carried by at least one North Korean balloon fell on the South Korean presidential compound in July, raising concerns about the vulnerability of key South Korean facilities. Officials said that the balloon contained no dangerous material and no one was hurt. The South's broadcast playlist was clearly designed to strike a nerve in Pyongyang, where Kim's government has been intensifying a campaign to eliminate the influence of South Korean pop culture and language among the population in a bid to strengthen his family's dynastic rule. The Cold War-style psychological warfare campaigns added to tensions fueled by North Korea's growing nuclear ambitions and South Korean efforts to expand joint military exercises with the United States and strengthen three-way security cooperation with Japan. Lee, an outspoken liberal who took office last week after winning an early election to replace ousted conservative Yoon Suk Yeol, has vowed to improve relations with Pyongyang, which reacted furiously to Yoon's hard-line policies and shunned dialogue. During his election campaign, Lee promised to halt the loudspeaker broadcasts, arguing that they created unnecessary tensions and discomfort for South Korean residents in border towns. In recent months, those residents had complained about North Korea's retaliatory broadcasts, which included howling animals, pounding gongs and other irritating sounds. In a briefing on Monday, South Korea's Unification Ministry, which handles inter-Korean affairs, also called for South Korean civilian activists to stop flying anti-North Korean propaganda leaflets across the border. Such activities "could heighten tensions on the Korean Peninsula and threaten the lives and safety of residents in border areas," said Koo Byoungsam, the ministry's spokesperson. In his inaugural address last week, Lee vowed to reopen communication channels with North Korea. But prospects for an early resumption of dialogue between the rival Koreas remain dim. North Korea has consistently rejected offers from South Korea and the United States since 2019, when nuclear talks between Washington and Pyongyang collapsed over sanctions-related disagreements. North Korea's priority in foreign policy is now firmly with Russia, which has received thousands of North Korean troops and large amounts of military equipment in recent months for its war with Ukraine. South Korean and US officials have expressed concern that Kim in return could seek Russian technology transfers that could enhance the threat posed by his nuclear weapons and missile program. Yoon, who was removed from office in April over his short-lived imposition of martial law in December, had focused on strengthening military partnerships with Washington and Tokyo and on securing stronger US assurances of a swift and decisive nuclear response to defend the South against a North Korean nuclear attack. In a fierce reaction to Yoon's policies, Kim declared in January 2024 that he was abandoning the long-standing goals of a peaceful unification with the South and instructed the rewriting of the North's constitution to cement the South as a permanent "principal enemy." Following years of heightened testing activity, Kim has acquired a broad range of missiles that could potentially target rivals in Asia and the U.S. mainland. He has also called for increased production of nuclear materials to create more bombs. Associated Press


Arabian Post
13 hours ago
- Arabian Post
F-35 Procurement Halved as Pentagon Reprioritises Budget
Pentagon officials have trimmed the U.S. Air Force's F-35A fighter jet order dramatically, requesting just 24 aircraft in fiscal year 2026—cutting it by half from the previously projected 48 jets. The revised procurement proposal, submitted to Congress, seeks approximately $3.5 billion for the jets and an additional $531 million set aside for advance materials procurement. This downsizing is part of a broader strategy by the Department of Defence to shift funding toward emerging defence priorities and cost-saving measures. The Navy and Marine Corps are also affected: the Navy's carrier variant request has dipped from 17 to 12 aircraft, and the Marine Corps' numbers have been reduced by two. Analysis indicates that delays tied to the F-35's TR-3 software upgrade have created bottlenecks in deliveries. Lockheed Martin paused shipments for software integration and sustainment testing; Congress also withheld acceptance of about 20 jets until those issues are resolved. Despite these setbacks, Lockheed still managed to deliver 110 F‑35s globally in 2024, and the F‑35 programme continues to represent approximately 30 percent of the company's annual revenue. Defence analysts describe the halving of F‑35A orders as both a fiscal recalibration and a window of opportunity. One investment commentary noted that while the short‑term cut may rattle markets, the production backlog and sustained international demand—especially among NATO allies—could help cushion Lockheed's pipeline. Already, partner nations such as the UK, Italy and the Netherlands have active procurement plans, while recent buyers like Germany, Greece, Singapore and Romania are proceeding with their orders. ADVERTISEMENT The shift comes amid a wider Pentagon push to realign procurement budgets; recent directives aim for an 8 percent reduction in total defence spending over five years. Cuts will support new programmes such as the F‑47 sixth‑generation fighter, Collaborative Combat Aircraft drones, hypersonic weapons and border security initiatives. House appropriations hearings have highlighted this transition, with Pentagon leaders confirming investment of more than $4 billion in next‑generation combat platforms in fiscal 2026, including funding for the F‑47 and the CCA 'loyal wingman' drones. Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth described these as vital to maintaining air dominance in increasingly contested environments. Lockheed Martin has urged stakeholders to view the F‑35 as a long‑term strategic asset. The company's finance chief told investors that a final contract is anticipated once TR‑3 upgrades are cleared, signalling confidence in the jet's future viability. International sales remain central. With over $176 billion in export backlog at the end of 2024, Lockheed's reliance on foreign partners has grown. The U.S. share of global F‑35 orders has dropped from 70 percent a decade ago to about 55 percent today. Advocates argue that the jet's fifth‑generation stealth and interoperability continue to give it a unique edge over systems like Saab's Gripen E or Dassault's Rafale. Still, risks persist. Continued TR‑3 roll-out delays could erode confidence, and broader fiscal dynamics—such as the fate of reconciliation spending and geopolitical tensions—could further influence procurement. Meanwhile, the U.S. Navy is forging ahead with its own next‑generation development: opting out of Lockheed for the F/A‑XX carrier fighter competition in favour of Boeing and Northrop Grumman designs. The Navy will continue to acquire F‑35C jets, purchasing them alongside future carrier‑based platforms. Budget documents reveal the Air Force intends to allocate $24.8 billion to aircraft procurement in FY 2026. F‑35A purchases form a smaller slice of that pie, with funds also directed to the hypersonic ARRW missile, Boeing's F‑15EX fighters, T‑7A trainers, and KC‑46A refuellers. In the meantime, Lockheed is focusing on resolving the TR‑3 integration challenges and progressing Block 4 upgrades—critical for retaining export competitiveness and meeting evolving defence needs. Despite reduced U.S. orders, strong international demand and technological advancement keep the F‑35 programme poised for continued relevance.


Arabian Post
18 hours ago
- Arabian Post
Loyyal Expands Maharaja Club with Global Shopping Rewards
Air India has partnered with blockchain-based loyalty specialist Loyyal to allow Maharaja Club members to earn points on everyday purchases across key brands in the United States and the United Kingdom. The collaboration enables members to accrue Maharaja Points on shopping at major retailers such as Walmart, Victoria's Secret, New Balance, GAP, Victorinox and Alamo – marking a significant expansion of the airline's loyalty programme. Members now earn up to 99 Maharaja Points per USD 100 spent at Walmart, 310 points per GBP 100 at Victoria's Secret, 300 points at Victorinox, 45 at New Balance, 180 at GAP and 64 points at Alamo. These offerings are accessible via the Maharaja Club Partner Offers page on Air India's website, where members can select a brand and follow on-screen prompts to initiate their purchases. Shailesh Kumar Singh, Head of Loyalty at Air India, commented that the alliance with Loyyal 'makes it easier for our members to earn Maharaja Points on everyday essentials and shopping, without needing to fly frequently'. Meanwhile, Loyyal CEO Ashish Kumar Singh noted that the initiative 'significantly boosts the earning potential for Maharaja Club's members,' adding that it enriches daily experiences and complements travel benefits. ADVERTISEMENT The partnership follows a broader revamp of the Maharaja Club, which adopted a simplified tier structure, updated identity and enhanced customer features. Air India has added more than 50 non-airline partners over the last 18 months, supporting its transformation under the strategy and leveraging its Star Alliance membership. The move aligns with global loyalty trends, where airlines increasingly engage shoppers via retail partnerships. By enabling points accrual through non-travel spend, loyalty programmes become more relevant to everyday consumer behaviour, fostering engagement beyond flight activity. Consumers, meanwhile, gain tangible value even during non-travel periods. Maharaja Club's integration with Star Alliance further enhances its value proposition. As noted by Air India's own commentary, elite-tier members benefit from worldwide priority check-in, lounge access at over 1,100 locations, extra baggage allowance, and the ability to accrue and redeem points across the alliance's 25 carriers. These features remain central to the programme's repositioning. Industry analysts highlight that Loyyal's blockchain-based platform offers secure, transparent point tracking and easier integration of diverse partners. Though Air India and Loyyal have not disclosed technical details publicly, Loyyal's existing reputation in travel loyalty schemes supports confidence in seamless implementation. Under the agreement, Air India continues to broaden access to Maharaja Points across shopping categories. The move targets customers traveling abroad or residing outside India, reinforcing Air India's global outreach following its Tata Group-led transformation. In support, the programme emphasises that points can be redeemed for award flights and cabin upgrades through Air India or Star Alliance partners. The timing of the launch coincides with Air India's widened network with new interline agreements and route expansions, such as recent pacts with airlines like airBaltic, Cyprus Airways and Uzbekistan Airways, aimed at increasing global connectivity. As passengers gain more travel options, the value of earning and using loyalty points is projected to grow. As more household and lifestyle brands are added to the programme, members could diversify their point accrual even further. Air India has indicated that additional partners will be announced in due course, though specifics have not yet been released. Maharaja Club members benefit from streamlined user experience with clearly stated earning rates for each participating brand. For example, spending at Victoria's Secret yields 310 points per GBP 100, while spending at Victorinox delivers 300 points per USD 100 – figures that are prominently showcased on the shopping portal. Air India's alignment with Loyyal fits within its hospitality-driven repositioning under along with fleet modernisation, training investments, new routes, and enhanced premium services. The airline aims to appeal to international leisure and business travellers – particularly those based abroad – by offering points that can accrue through both travel and lifestyle spending. Industry commentators suggest that Loyyal's blockchain solution offers underlying benefits including transparent audit trails, fraud reduction and easy tracking of reward accrual from non-travel sources. This increases both partner and consumer confidence in the integrity of the loyalty ecosystem.