The government of Canada evaluates significantly reducing its order for 88 F-35A Lightning II fifth-generation stealth fighters manufactured by the American company Lockheed Martin, but with a strong local component of Canadian firms, while analyzing other alternatives such as the proposal presented by Saab based on the JAS 39 Gripen E/F.
The Minister of Industry, Mélanie Joly, noted in a recent interview that Ottawa could opt for a smaller fleet of F-35s and acquire a complementary second batch of Gripen E/F fighters assembled in Canadian territory. “It will be the Prime Minister who decides. But in the meantime, my goal is to obtain more benefits from the contract with Lockheed Martin and continue conversations with Saab,” Joly expressed in an interview in French with Radio-Canada.
The current contract for the F-35A, valued at approximately 27.7 billion dollars, is under review since March, shortly after Prime Minister Mark Carney took office, amid a context of commercial tensions between Canada and the United States. According to Joly, the government is studying two possible paths: negotiating greater economic benefits with Lockheed Martin in exchange for maintaining the complete purchase or acquiring a reduced number of aircraft.
Canada has a contractual commitment for the purchase of at least 16 stealth fighters, while the rest of the 72 planned units remain under analysis. The Minister indicated that a mixed fleet would not represent a problem for the Armed Forces, recalling that “all G7 countries have a mixed fleet.”
Joly stressed that the government seeks three main objectives: to strengthen the country’s military capabilities, consolidate geopolitical alliances through new partnerships, and generate employment in the national defense sector. “At the cabinet table, what concerns me is ensuring that taxpayers’ money is used responsibly, to reduce our dependence on the United States and create jobs in Canada,” she maintained.
The review of the contract takes place at a time when tensions with Washington persist. As mentioned before, already in March, the then Minister of Defense, Bill Blair, had confirmed that Canada was reconsidering the purchase of the F-35A due to the commercial policy of the American President Donald Trump. “Canada is actively studying possible alternatives to the American F-35 stealth fighter and will hold talks with rival aircraft manufacturers,” Blair declared to the CBC network.
The official added that the Prime Minister had requested him to examine options, “in particular where there may be opportunities to assemble those fighters in Canada.” Saab was one of the companies that had presented a proposal within the framework of the Future Fighter Capability Project (FFCP) program, offering the local assembly of the Gripen E and transfer of intellectual property.
The Swedish offer proposed carrying out the entire maintenance cycle of the aircraft in Canada and developing an industrial base for its logistical support. The company Saab maintains that its model can be updated quickly. “At Saab we stopped talking about generations years ago, because the technology of the Gripen E can be improved almost daily,” affirmed the spokesperson for Saab Canada, Sierra Fullerton.
For their part, high commanders of the Armed Forces have expressed their preference for the F-35A. During a parliamentary appearance, Deputy Minister of Defense Stefanie Beck highlighted “the importance of having a fifth-generation aircraft, because that is what our adversaries have.” The Commander of the Royal Canadian Air Force, Lieutenant General Jamie Speiser-Blanchet, underlined the urgency of modernizing the current fleet: “China and Russia have fifth-generation fighters and missiles that represent a threat to Western allies.”
Despite these positions, the purchase faces criticism and budgetary doubts. According to internal control reports, the total cost of the program would have increased up to 45% compared to the initial forecasts, in addition to the difficulties in training new pilots.
Experts like David Perry, president of the Canadian Global Affairs Institute, and Philippe Lagassé, academic from the Norman Paterson School of International Affairs, warn about the limitations of the Canadian government to obtain concessions from Lockheed Martin. Perry noted that the manufacturer “would have no problem finding new clients” if Canada reduces its order, while Lagassé considered it improbable to reopen an already signed contract, although he recognized that “it is not impossible.”
It should be mentioned that given this situation, in the month of August, the agreement between Canada and the American Lockheed Martin seemed to regain a new momentum, leaving behind the tensions of the first semester of the year. However, given the lack of economic and industrial benefits on the part of the military aviation company, Ottawa continues searching for options.
For the moment, the Canadian Armed Forces continue preparations for the arrival of the F-35s. “We continue with the established contract and agreements until we receive new instructions. We are moving full speed ahead to guarantee the necessary infrastructure, pilots, and training,” affirmed Deputy Minister Beck before the public accounts committee.
*Images for illustrative purposes.
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No more maple syrup for me!
The primary adversary of Canada at this point is not Russia or China. It’s the United States. After all, neither Russia nor China are threatening annexation of Canada.
This doesn’t make sense. A two jet fleet is a insanely expensive option for such a small Airforce! These 16 F-35 jets need to be resold, at a loss if necessary, if Canada is to go with the Gripen. You’ll waste far less money, especially over the long term.
Time for the US to cancel all F-35 sales to Canada
Canada should take the twenty-seven F35s that they are contractually obligated to and deal with Sweden with the Gripens, and also, getting into the manufacturing of drones. That is the way of the future for air warfare. One only needs to see what is currently going on in the Ukraine Russian war. They are less expensive to produce and they can be sent en masse towards your enemy.
The Gripen uses GE404 engines and the US will surely veto the sale to Canada. They are free to cancel or reduce their F-35 order and pay the costs associated with the cancellation. Surprised Quebec hasn’t force the government to buy French Rafael jets, as their sale isn’t subject to US veto, however these jets won’t be integrated into NORAD systems, nor allowed to be upgraded to be fully inoperable with US networks,