10
Feb
Ottawa (Rajeev Sharma): Ottawa has begun making payments for critical components needed for 14 additional U.S.-built F-35 fighter jets, even as the federal government continues to reassess Canada’s long-term fighter aircraft plans amid strained trade relations with the United States, told sources. These payments are separate from Canada’s confirmed purchase of an initial batch of 16 F-35 aircraft, which are scheduled to begin arriving with the Canadian Armed Forces later this year. According to sources familiar with the matter, the latest expenditures are for long-lead items — specialized parts that must be ordered years in advance to keep aircraft production…