At a time when the F-35 fighter is facing rejection from both Spain and India due to trade disputes with the United States, Canada may be the one to give the Lockheed Martin-built platform a new boost, as its most recent defense review supports plans to proceed with the purchase of up to 88 new stealth fighters for the country’s Air Force. In doing so, it appears that the doubts raised in March of this year are being left behind—when Ottawa launched its own reassessment of the acquisition, originally approved in 2023, in response to the controversial foreign policy of President Donald Trump.
The news was reported by Reuters, which claimed to have consulted two Canadian officials who spoke on condition of anonymity due to the importance of the program, the future of which will depend on the decision of the current government led by Mark Carney. According to the report, the presentation in defense of the F-35 does not issue a formal recommendation to proceed with the purchase, but it does rule out potential attempts to reduce or split into phases the number of fighters to be acquired.
It is worth recalling that Canada is already legally committed to securing the necessary funding for the arrival of the first 16 F-35 stealth fighters. However, the remaining 72 aircraft needed to complete the fleet were under review by the Canadian government. This is a significant point—especially given that Prime Minister Carney had campaigned on opposing the U.S. ally’s tariff offensive, and had voiced concerns over Canada’s strong dependence on Washington for its defense capabilities—rhetoric that has softened in recent weeks.
Added to these issues is another factor that has affected other U.S. military programs: cost increases. Along those lines, it’s useful to recall that the agreement finalized in early 2023 involved an investment of around $14 billion to complete the purchase of the fifth-generation fighters. However, according to recent reports from Canadian oversight agencies, that figure may have risen by as much as 45% from initial estimates. The same reports also highlighted concerns over a shortage of available pilots.
In the absence of further clarification for now, the Canadian defense ministry has made its intentions clear regarding the desire to proceed with the purchase of new aircraft to modernize the country’s fighter fleet. As stated by the office of Minister David McGuinty: “In all defense procurement decisions, our government will prioritize the defense of Canada and its sovereignty, while also supporting Canadian industry wherever possible. We are committed to acquiring what the Air Force needs, while ensuring economic benefits for Canadians and the responsible use of taxpayer dollars.”
*Images used for illustrative purposes.
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