The F-18 has been a very good plane. 10 years ago, our highly skilled pilots could hold their own against other air-forces while war gaming (testing).
No more, a recent war-game had every one of our planes shot down before we could even see them. From now on our interceptors are vulnerable to any stealth based plane. So we can send them up there to "patrol" the arctic. But defend? Pitiful.

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Joey Bloggins said:
The F-22, F-35, F-18E/F, Typhoon, Gripen and Rafale were ALL looked at. The F-22 was eliminated right away, because it would not be for sale to anyone other than the U.S. After analysis, the Gripen and Rafale were eliminated as not having any performance advantage over our current CF-18. A more extensive evaluation of the F-35, F-18E/F and Typhoon was conducted. The conclusion was that the F-35 is the only aircraft that meets the mandatory high level capabilities and the more specific operational requirements, and at the best cost with the best industrial opportunities. The same process was followed in the U.S., U.K., Australia, Denmark, Netherlands, Norway, Italy, and Turkey within the MOU. Israel is on board outside the MOU and Japan, South Korea and others are poised to follow suit.