OTTAWA - Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is refusing to recommit to an open competition to select Canada's next fighter jet, despite increasing questions over whether his government will keep its promise to do so.

The Liberals promised during the 2015 election campaign not to buy Lockheed Martin's F-35, which was the subject of controversy in 2011 and 2012 after the previous government refused to release the full costs of its purchase and maintenance. The Liberals also promised to hold an open competition to select the replacement for the existing CF-18s, which will reach the end of their lifespan in 2025. Recent media reports said the Liberals plan to purchase Boeing's Super Hornet, a newer version of the CF-18s, at least until they reach a decision on which fighter jet will best suit the country's defence needs.

Asked about that pledge at a press conference to mark the House of Commons rising for the summer, Trudeau avoided saying whether the government would hold the promised open competition.

"Canadians expect our government to deliver the equipment that our Canadian Forces need to keep Canadians safe and indeed protect us while fulfilling our international commitments," Trudeau said.

"As many of you know the [defence] procurement process, particularly for the jets, had been significantly messy over the past years," he added. Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan and Public Works Minister Judy Foote "are working extremely hard to ensure we deliver to our Canadian Forces the jets they need in a responsible, and in the right, way," Trudeau said.

Asked whether that meant he wasn't committing to a competition, Trudeau avoided saying yes or no.

"There's been an awful lot of speculation in the media, rumours going around about this or that. We are working very, very hard, and thoughtfully, to ensure we deliver to our forces the jets the right way at the right price," he said.

That flies in the face of the party's campaign commitment, which was posted under the banner of "Real change."

"We will immediately launch an open and transparent competition to replace the CF-18 fighter aircraft," after the election, the party's website says.