“The review of the purchase of the F-35s is continuing,” said David McGuinty, highlighting the uncertainty surrounding Canada’s decision on its fighter jet fleet. The country is currently evaluating its $19 billion CAD plan to acquire 88 F-35A Lightning II fighter jets amid ongoing deliberations.
The review, initiated in March 2025, follows a signed agreement in early 2023 to purchase the jets. However, this deal faced disruption after Prime Minister Mark Carney ordered a comprehensive reassessment. With no timeline set for a final decision, the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) remains in a holding pattern.
In light of this situation, Saab has proposed an alternative — a mixed fleet of F-35s and Gripen fighter jets. They argue that assembling Gripens in Canada could bolster local industry, promising to support approximately 12,500 Canadian jobs. This offer might be appealing given public sentiment pushing for less reliance on U.S. defense systems.
Meanwhile, RCAF officials maintain that the F-35 represents Canada’s best option for a fifth-generation fighter aircraft. The urgency of this decision intensifies as countries like Germany and Finland accelerate their own F-35 procurements, responding to growing threats from Russia and China.
As part of its broader military procurement strategy, Canada has also engaged in discussions regarding HIMARS systems. Lt.-Gen. Mike Wright remarked, “We’re saying the HIMARS system is the long-range precision strike system that we need for land operations.” Yet uncertainties linger — how many HIMARS systems will be acquired is unclear.
Moreover, despite securing funding for the first 16 F-35s and making payments to preserve production slots for future jets, officials have not confirmed any potential delivery timeline for these systems. There exists a concrete contradiction between governmental statements about shifting spending from U.S. suppliers to domestic capabilities.
The F-35 program was designed to replace Canada’s aging CF-18 fleet — a transition long overdue. As discussions continue, stakeholders are left pondering whether Canada will ultimately follow through with its initial plans or pivot towards alternative solutions.
