Ottawa was awash in speculation Thursday that the price tag for the lifetime cost of the oft-maligned F-35 fighter was about to take a huge jump.
A government sponsored report written by the accounting firm KPMG is expected to show that the price tag for 65 stealth fighters might be $40 billion. That compares with the $25 billion estimated last spring by the auditor general, who blasted the Harper government for low-balling the purchase.
Over the previous two years, the Conservatives insisted the all-in price for the multi-role, radar-evading jet was going to be up to $16 billion.
Defence sources said next week's KPMG report is expected to present a range of figures for cost owner-ship, depending on the number of years the Royal Canadian Air Force intends to fly the plane.
The longer it's in service, the higher the cost.
