Le JSF canadien et NORAD

Le JSF canadien et NORAD

Dana Gabriel, activiste canadien, publie un texte sur Online Journal, le 24 août 2010, où il lie l’intention ferme d'achat, intention précipitée et largement dénoncée à cause de l’absence d’un processus de concurrence, du F-35 (JSF) de Lockheed Martin par le gouvernement conservateur canadien, à l’intégration du Canada dans le système NORAD. En Amérique du Nord, NORAD est le système intégré de défense USA-Canada, correspondant pour la défense au programme d’intégration commerciale ALENA/NAFTA (qui, lui, inclus le Mexique).

Parmi diverses autres situations grossières, dont nous parlerons par ailleurs, on observera que l’achat du F-35 comme avion de défense aérienne, – c’est la mission exclusive du système NORAD de défense du continent nord-américaine, – est une aberration opérationnelle si grossière qu’elle ne nécessite aucune discussion. Le JSF est au mieux “un camion à bombes” (“bomb truck”), selon un chef de l’état-major de l’USAF, qui n’a rien à voir avec la mission très spécifique de la défense aérienne.

Gabriel parle de récents “incidents” aériens entre la Russie d’une part, les USA et le Canada d’autre part, pour introduire ses remarques sur le F-35, en en faisant l'argument de pression US pour conduire le Canada à sa commande. Ces “incidents” sont d’une valeur stratégique indicative nulle, – rien d’autre de raisonnable ne peut être dit… La chose complète le montage général d'une façon assez piètre, en donnant bien des arguments aux adversaires du JSF, si le débat rebondit.

«The Harper government is using the most recent confrontation between Canadian and Russian military planes to justify its plans to buy 65 new jet fighters and draw attention to its stance on Arctic sovereignty. In July, the Canadian government announced plans to acquire the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II which will replace its fleet of CF-18 Hornets. The first F-35’s are expected to be delivered by 2016. Including maintenance of the fighter jets, the total price tag is expected to cost Canadian taxpayers over $16 billion. The government insists they are getting the best aircraft for the best value. Some have questioned the purchase considering Canada is running its largest deficit in history. The Liberal party has been critical of the deal and its lack of transparency. Not to mention that one of Canada’s biggest military acquisitions was done without a single competing bid. The Conservatives argue that they exercised options and that the F-35 was the only next-generation fighter plane that meets the operational requirements of the Canadian Forces. They continue to defend their decision making a case that the new jets are part of its obligation to its allies and will protect Canada’s sovereignty well into the future.

»Controversy has surrounded Canadian Defence Department computers being used to alter online Wikipedia entries. This includes the removal of some information which was critical of the Harper government’s decision to spend billions on the new F-35 stealth jet. The New Democrats are demanding answers. NDP MP Claude Gravelle stated, “At worst this type of manipulative behaviour is indicative of the government’s culture of information control.” He went on to say, “Even if this apparent misuse of resources is the work of a lone DND staffer ‘freelancing,’ it raises questions about oversight in that department.” Defence Department computers were also used to insert insults on Wikipedia aimed at the Liberals who have questioned the jet aircraft purchase. Gravelle also added, “Some of the comments posted regarding Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff and the media were particularly worrisome. We do not expect to see this type of big brother behaviour in Canada. Unfortunately Canadians are starting to see a pattern in the desire to control the message.” This illustrates how web based institutions such as Wikipedia can act as gatekeepers and be used to spread propaganda in an effort to guide public perception.

»It is expected that the Commons Standing Committee on Defence will hold hearings near the end of August on the Conservatives’ proposed purchase of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter. The Liberals remain critical of the plan and have said that if they form the next government, they would put the contract on hold until further review. In the end, they would approve it. The truth is that on most major issues there is hardly a difference between the Liberals and Conservatives and they differ on rhetoric alone. Even the Globe and Mail had a recent headline Tories and Grits are as one on defence policy. Both parties have advanced North American integration through NAFTA, the Security and Prosperity Partnership and other initiatives. They have also supported Canada’s mission in Afghanistan which is slated to end in 2011, but could be extended. In the coming years, Canada could be asked to play a bigger role in the war on terrorism, including participation in future American and NATO military operations. Many would like to see a return to its more traditional role as a peacekeeping nation, one which has garnered praise from the rest of the world.

»Whether or not the majority of Canadians support the government’s decision to purchase the new F-35 jets, it does represent a continued commitment to NATO and NORAD. It is also closely tied to deeper U.S.-Canada military integration and a North American security perimeter.»

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