Just as the pricetag for the F-35 fighter jet was expected to take a big jump there are unconfirmed reports the project may be scrapped.

Global News is reporting an independent audit, commissioned by the Federal Conservatives, came up with cost estimates close to $50 billion. That’s almost double the estimates by the Department of National Defence. The audit conducted by KPMG has not yet been made public.

A source says the operations committee of the federal cabinet has decided to scrap the controversial sole-source program and go back to the drawing board.

Senior government officials deny suggestions that a cabinet committee has decided to scrap the F-35 purchase altogether.

The jets are to replace the aging CF-18s currently flown by the Royal Canadian Air Force which are not expected to be operable beyond 2020.