How come the idea of getting rid of Fighter jets and replacing them with a fleet of drones, automation, and investing in missiles is never considered, well I haven't seen any media or gov talking about it. (Might exist but I have never seen it)
Its no secret automation is the future yet the dnd/gov doesn't consider this alternative route.
Automation is the future, indeed. But when it comes to UCAVs, we aren't quite there yet.
Replacing manned fighters with UCAVs, or at least supplementing them with UCAVs, will happen in the future. No doubt. Supplementing them with UCAVs now is doable, as the 1st generation of UCAV is being implemented as a 'loyal wingman' concept.
However, these are 1st generation UCAVs, and as such - there is a lot of growth to be had in terms of speed, maneuverability, payload, network speeds, etc etc.
Longer range A2A missiles is also something that is very much on the horizon. The new Aim-260 missile is the first purpose built long range A2A missile the Americans have produced in decades - we've all been relying on enhanced versions of the Aim-120D, Aim-9X, Meteor, etc etc.
So between some loyal wingman UCAVs with long range missiles coming into service, it will change the A2A game, absolutely. But we aren't at a place where we can replace manned fighters with unmanned, yet.
As for any missiles with longer range than what falls into the A2A category, you don't even want to go there. Any ground based missiles with extended ranges start to fall under various international treaties, and that's a hassle no Canadian government will touch with a 10ft pole. (This is the same country that refused to support BMD...)