National Defence committee  The figure we gave of $4,000 to $4,500 Canadian per hour covers the direct operating costs, which are basically the fuel, oil, all consumables, all spares, all first- and second-line servicing, everything you would need to operate the aircraft on and off base. The only thing we don't include there is the labour charge for off-base operation.

National Defence committee  May I ask you, in what sense do you mean simulations: operational simulations, operational scenario simulations? If that's your question, sir, yes, we have done many, many simulations of operational scenarios for all three roles that we embark on: air defence; air-to-surface, sea and land; and reconnaissance.

National Defence committee  We took it then that it would be an open competition for the replacement aircraft, yes, sir.

National Defence committee  No, sir.

National Defence committee  Basically, sir, yes.

National Defence committee  We are not certain about the operational capability of the F-35A. What we would say, sir, is that the aircraft has been designed for a very specific role: first day of the war, very stealthy. It carries its weapons internally. It is redesigned for a specific role, whereas the Gripen is designed first and foremost as a fighter.

National Defence committee  That's the time taken on the ground to rearm and refuel the aircraft and put it back into the air. It takes just ten minutes to put the missiles on, put the fuel in, launch the aircraft.

National Defence committee  Yes, sir.

National Defence committee  I think we would prefer to look upon this as a transfer of very high-technology jobs into your industry rather than lower-technology manufacturing, but we would be very happy to discuss with all of your industries what you would wish. Our belief is, and from our experience, countries would normally prefer to have the high-technology growth, and grown in their own countries.

National Defence committee  We currently have 265 aircraft produced and in service. Our estimates are based on where we are operating in terms of campaign work in India and Brazil, Norway, Netherlands, Denmark, Malaysia, Switzerland. Our expectation is that we will take a market share to give us a total export buy of not fewer than 500 aircraft in the next ten years.

National Defence committee  We have no delay in our program, sir. In fact, we're ahead of our development program for the next-generation fighter. We can confirm that we will meet the in-service dates, as required by the Canadian air force, of 2016. We have no delays at the present. We foresee no delays in the program.

National Defence committee  Yes.

National Defence committee  Yes, sir.

National Defence committee  Indeed.

National Defence committee  No, sir.