I would like to say that the 88 fighters that the RCAF has identified as the magic number, if you will, are based on the mandate that has been given to the Royal Canadian Air Force in Canada's defence strategy, “Strong, Secure, Engaged”. We went into a detailed analysis. This amount of aircraft will enable us to fulfill our mission requirements, first for NORAD, then for Arctic sovereignty and things of that nature, and for NATO, as well. It will also ensure that we can make a meaningful and credible contribution to our Five Eyes partners.
This is what I have to offer at this stage.