The Joint Strike Missile will equip Canada’s F-35 fleet, giving it the power to hold internally stand-off weapons.
Canada has chosen Kongsberg’s Joint Strike Missile (JSM) as its new air-to-surface standoff weapon. The $564 million award, based on a Jul. 8, 2026 press launch from the Norwegian firm, makes Canada the sixth operator of the weapon, following Norway, Japan, Australia, the U.S., and Germany.
Kongsberg mentioned the combination of the JSM into “Canada’s next-generation fighter will present the Royal Canadian Air Pressure with a vital operational benefit.” The corporate has additionally laid out a broader native protection industrial funding inside Canada consistent with its Industrial and Expertise Advantages (ITB) Coverage.
“KONGSBERG right this moment additionally introduced investments in Canada, by means of the nation’s Industrial and Technological Advantages (ITB) Coverage”, mentioned the press launch. “These are aimed toward creating long-term industrial capability by stimulating job creation, the event of dual-use applied sciences and strengthening the defence business by means of collaboration between business and academia.”
#Canada/#Norway 🇨🇦🇳🇴:
Canada and Norway’s @KOGDefence have introduced a NOK 4.7 billion contract for the supply of JSM (Joint Strike Missile) cruise missiles, making the Royal Canadian Air Pressure (RCAF) the sixth operator of the air-launched missiles.
Full article:… pic.twitter.com/X3Tb3IXzYQ
— 𝕻𝖗𝖆𝖎𝖘𝖊 𝕿𝖍𝖊 𝕾𝖙𝖊𝖕𝖍 (@praisethesteph) July 10, 2026
Kongsberg’s CEO Erik Lie mentioned the corporate is “happy to welcome Canada because the sixth nation to pick out the JSM. The acquisition of the Joint Strike Missile can essentially enhance the operational vary and effectiveness of Canada’s fighter fleet. Along with delivering world-class defence expertise, KONGSBERG is dedicated to contributing to industrial development within the nation.”
With a weight of 416 kg and a size of 4 meters, the JSM flies at high-subsonic speeds, and has a variety in extra of 350 km (189 nautical miles). The weapon is provided with a extremely correct navigation system that permits a low altitude flight profile.
Kongsberg additional says the JSM makes use of a complicated mission planning system to use sea and land geography. Automated Goal recognition is supported by a complicated Imaging infrared seeker.
🇨🇦 Canada has awarded a contract to the Norwegian firm Kongsberg for the procurement of the Joint Strike Missile (JSM) air-launched cruise missile price 420 million €. pic.twitter.com/CSL9SRlcHv
— Jeff2146🇧🇪 (@Jeff21461) July 9, 2026
Canada and U.S.-made F-35
The JSM, an air-to-ground spinoff of Kongsberg’s anti-ship Naval Strike Missile (NSM), is the one air-launched weapon in its class that may be carried internally by the F-35. The U.S.-made JASSM and LRASM can solely be carried externally, since they’re too massive for the Lightning II’s inside weapons bays.
Nonetheless, a serious diplomatic fallout between Ottawa and Washington put a cloud over the fighter jet’s purchase. PM Mark Carney’s authorities has been contemplating shopping for solely 16 jets it has paid for and never the complete fleet of 88.
Canada in 2023 inked a 19-billion Canadian greenback (USD13 billion) deal to purchase 88 F-35As, with deliveries starting in 2026 and the fleet anticipated to attain full operational functionality by 2034. Voices in Canada’s protection and strategic group have suggested {that a} small F-35 fleet could be logistically and tactically much more unsound, whereas a sure part has pressed for leaving this system altogether.
F-35A + Joint Strike Missile (JSM) = Maritime dominance for #Norway and #Japan 😉 The long-range JSM, is the one Fifth-generation cruise missile designed to be launched from the interior weapons bay of an F-35. It was efficiently examined final February. #avgeeks #aviation #information pic.twitter.com/VN3zzfVOv3
— Air Energy (@RealAirPower1) December 16, 2022
It should be famous that Canada has nonetheless not made a ultimate choice on the F-35. As we have now seen with different allies having an on-again-off-again relationship with the U.S, Canada may simply proceed a protection industrial relationship with Washington inside a cooperative navy alliance, whereas nonetheless diverging on key international coverage points.
Different current non-U.S. protection buys
On the identical time, Carney has significantly indicated – whereas remaining non-committal total – an curiosity within the Saab Gripen. The push has additionally come from the Swedish protection main itself, which has characteristically promised vital native industrial and employment advantages. A significant indicator was the Gripen collaborating in Could’s CANSEC 2026 exhibition, and the ruling Liberal Occasion’s MP Sima Acan getting into its cockpit.
Nonetheless, Carney has definitively selected different main capital weapons. These embody Saab’s GlobalEye AEW&C plane – additionally primarily based on the Canadian Bombardier International 6500 – which was chosen over the Boeing E-7A Wedgetail.
“Ottawa plans to spend over $5 billion on a fleet of six plane. By selecting the Saab/Bombardier provide, the Carney authorities hopes to make Canada a hub for the Swedish producer’s ‘airborne radars’ by constructing roughly forty surveillance plane on Canadian soil, which might then be offered to NATO member nations,” La Presse reported. NATO itself just lately chosen the GlobalEye to switch the older E-3 AWACS fleet.
A file crowd of 21,300 registered for the annual navy commerce present Cansec, the place Mark Carney introduced billions in new spending and attendees might sit in a Gripen fighter. pic.twitter.com/PqeeCZn40c
— The Logic (@the_logic) Could 29, 2026
Lastly, Canada will even quickly purchase 9 (4 new and 5 used) Airbus A330-200 aerial refuellers, designated because the CC-330 Husky, to switch the present CC-150 Polaris. Acquired underneath the Strategic Tanker Transport Functionality effort, the primary of CC-330 Husky accomplished its first check flight in Spain on Jul. 2, 2026.
Milestone reached for the Strategic Tanker Transport Functionality. ✅
On July 2, the primary CC-330 Husky accomplished its first check flight in Spain, permitting groups to evaluate design, efficiency, and security. pic.twitter.com/LRNoJuRwh7
— Nationwide Defence (@NationalDefence) July 6, 2026
The JSM subsequently comes shut on the heels of Canada’s newfound protection strategic relationship with non-U.S. areas like Europe. A Saab Gripen acquisition can be unlikely to see any integration points with the JSM, given each platforms’ European origins.
Nonetheless, it stays to be seen if the Royal Canadian Air Pressure’s (RCAF) 70-75 CF-188A/B+ jets will carry the JSM, given diplomatic clearance and technical approval from the Unique Gear Producer (OEM), Boeing.
