Despite signaling an economic rapprochement with China while maintaining ongoing tensions with the United States, the Canadian government is reportedly moving forward with the purchase of additional F-35A stealth fighters to equip its Air Force. In particular, reports from local media indicate that Ottawa has invested in acquiring an additional batch of 14 aircraft to complement the 16 ordered years earlier, suggesting that the country remains committed to modernizing its combat capabilities, currently composed mainly of CF-18 Hornets.
Delving into further details, military sources consulted by Radio-Canada indicated that the country has invested in acquiring these aircraft in order to avoid losing its place in the platform’s international customer production line, given the long lead times required for such systems. The move has not yet been officially announced by the government currently led by Mark Carney, and the sources were granted anonymity due to a lack of authorization to speak publicly.
In this regard, it is worth noting that Canada still maintains an official position stating that the F-35A acquisition program remains under review, which could imply a reduction in the total number of aircraft it ultimately seeks to purchase from the United States—currently set at 88 units. When questioned by the press, Canada’s Ministry of National Defence declined to confirm the expenditures mentioned by military sources and reiterated that the operation continues to be evaluated. It should be recalled that this review process began shortly after Donald Trump assumed the U.S. presidency, having on several occasions issued annexation threats and imposed tariffs on key products affecting the Canadian economy.
Another relevant aspect that fuels speculation about a potential reduction in the number of F-35As ultimately acquired by Canada lies in the efforts by Swedish company Saab to promote the Gripen E/F fighter as a more affordable alternative. The company has stated that it is prepared to supply up to 72 new aircraft, including proposals to carry out part of the production within Canadian territory and generate up to 10,000 new jobs in the country. In addition, Ottawa could secure a role in producing Gripen units destined for Ukraine, further enhancing the appeal of the offer for the current administration.
Finally, it is worth considering that delays in reaching a final decision regarding Canada’s future fighter fleet have already drawn criticism from local analysts, who warn of the risks of continuing to invest in a program that offers no long-term certainty. Other experts suggest that the potential purchase may have ceased to be primarily a military matter, becoming instead part of Ottawa’s broader set of negotiation tools vis-à-vis Washington amid ongoing trade and diplomatic disputes—adding further uncertainty to the Royal Canadian Air Force’s modernization plans.
Cover image: Master Sgt. Mary Greenwood – USAF
You may also like: Saab doubles down on its bid to equip the Royal Canadian Air Force with up to 72 new Gripen E/F fighters
