Canada is still reviewing its plan to acquire 88 Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II jets, Defence Minister David McGuinty said on Monday, leaving open the possibility that Ottawa could reduce the order and buy aircraft from other countries.
The Canadian government signed a C$19 billion ($13.9 billion) deal with Lockheed Martin in early 2023 to replace the Royal Canadian Air Force’s aging McDonnell Douglas CF-18 Hornet fleet.
But Prime Minister Mark Carney ordered a review of the program in March after arguing that Canada had become too dependent on U.S. defense suppliers.
The reassessment gained political significance as relations between Ottawa and Washington deteriorated following repeated comments by U.S. President Donald Trump suggesting Canada should become part of the United States — remarks widely rejected by Canadian officials.
Trump also recently said the future of North American air defense under North American Aerospace Defense Command would only be viable with the F-35, adding pressure to Ottawa as it reviews the deal.
McGuinty told a Senate defense committee that buying aircraft from other countries remains an option under consideration, although he did not provide a timeline for a final decision.
Canada has already committed funding for the first 16 F-35s.
One potential alternative remains the Saab JAS 39 Gripen, which finished second in Canada’s fighter competition and has remained politically attractive to some officials because of promised domestic industrial benefits.
Canadian defense officials previously argued that abandoning the F-35 plan could create operational challenges and increase costs, particularly given Canada’s commitments to NORAD and NATO.
