Weapons purchase reportedly for operations in Libya
Canada’s defence department has ordered more than 1,300 laser-guided smart bombs, reportedly for use in the operation against Libyan dictator Moammar Gadhafi. The bombs are estimated to cost $100,000 each and follow reports NATO allies involved in operations in Libya are running out of weapons (NATO has denied the claims). As of Monday, Canadian CF-18 fighter jets had flown 272 sorties, but the Defence Department has not said how many bombs those planes have dropped. Though Gadhafi has so far successfully resisted efforts to oust him, Defence Minister Peter MacKay said over the weekend that Canada has no intention of sending more planes or expanding its role in Libya.