Mr. Chairman, I cannot really comment on the acquisition of the F-35s, because we are not familiar with the analysis nor the way that these planes were purchased. I would hesitate to comment on this issue.
However, it would be important that the committee discuss, with the departments, the acquisition strategy for this complex equipment. Should we expect to have a firm price at the beginning of the process, or should we perhaps proceed on a step-by-step basis and state that we are giving our approval for the design and for the requirements? In the case of the Chinooks, this process took three years. Rather than expect to have a firm price at the beginning of the process, perhaps it would be better to have a step-by-step process where we would be provided with better information.
I doubt that, in 2006, we were in any position to estimate all of the modifications and understand all of the complexity of the project. If there is a question that needs to be asked about the way we proceed with these acquisitions, it is as follows: should we not be reviewing the process?