Secretary of State for Protection Procurement Stephen Fuhr mentioned Canada has no plans to exit the contract for the 16 F-35s already in manufacturing, with a choice pending on the remaining 72 jets.
Canada will get at the very least 16 F-35 Lightning II jets to equip the Royal Canadian Air Drive (RCAF), with a choice nonetheless pending on the remaining 72 jets out of a complete order of 88. The announcement follows the reviews in March 2025 about Canada reconsidering its participation within the F-35 program following diplomatic tensions with the USA.
Following these reviews, Canada was mentioned to be contemplating leaving altogether the F-35 program and contemplating alternate options, with the Saab JAS-39 Gripen named one doable contender. Then protection minister Invoice Blair mentioned on Mar. 14: “Canada is actively potential alternate options to the U.S.-built F-35 stealth fighter and can maintain conversations with rival plane makers.”
Nonetheless, no ultimate resolution has been made but, and it isn’t anticipated to contain the 16 jets Canada already paid for.
Canada obligated to 16 plane
Canada’s Secretary of State for Protection Procurement Stephen Fuhr took half in an interview on CBC’s Rosemary Barton Stay talk-show. One of many questions particularly concerned the opportunity of Canada exiting the contract after the primary 16 F-35s.
In his reply, Fuhr mentioned he “doesn’t assume the federal authorities plans to get out of its contract to purchase American-made F-35 fighter jets as 16 planes are at present being manufactured.” The CBC report on Oct. 5, 2025, quoted Fuhr: “I don’t assume that’s the path we’re heading. However there’ll be a choice and we’ll make it after we’re prepared.”
F-35A at Abbotsford Worldwide Airshow, British Columbia, Canada (August 8, 2025). Developed from F-22’s P&W F119 engine, the F-35’s P&W F135 is taken into account one of the highly effective operational fighter jet engines on the earth, producing over 40,000 lbs of thrust. pic.twitter.com/oWmfjtqICR
— Air Energy (@RealAirPower1) August 20, 2025
Though not said explicitly by Fuhr, a spokesperson later clarified that he was referring to the 16 jets that Canada has transferred funds for, not all the fleet. “Canada is contractually obligated to 16 plane, that are in varied levels of manufacturing with the producer. A choice on the complete program is at present underneath overview,” mentioned the spokesperson.
It’s unclear if Canada would have exited all the program with none F-35 jets had it not transferred funds for the primary 16 plane. Canada is contemplating with nice seriousness the choice and the influence of the fallout with the U.S.
Canada has thus far paid in full for 4 plane, and elements for eight different jets have been bought. The F-35s can be delivered to Luke AFB in Arizona, the place the primary Canadian pilots and floor crew and maintainers will bear coaching subsequent yr.
Canada in F-35 program
Canada is a companion within the Joint Strike Fighter program, with roughly USD 500 million spent since 1997 and Canadian corporations securing F-35-related contracts for over USD 1.8 billion. The federal government determined to purchase 65 F-35s in 2010 with out competitors, nevertheless in 2015 the plan was scrapped in favor of an open competitors.
The federal government finally introduced on Jan. 9, 2023, the intent to buy 88 F-35s from Lockheed Martin in a deal valued, on the time, $13.2 billion This was a part of the Future Fighter Functionality Undertaking (FFCP) to switch the RCAF’s fleet of legacy CF-188 Hornets (native designation of the F/A-18). The deliveries of the primary 16 plane are anticipated to begin by early-2026.
Canada’s then Protection Minister Invoice Blair hinted in Mar. 2025, whereas saying “potential alternate options” to the F-35, that the plan would possibly change, and Ottawa would possibly settle for the primary batch of F-35s whereas diversifying the remainder of the fleet. Stories had mentioned that Canada might take a look at European suppliers, with Sweden’s Saab Gripen as a serious contender.
The RCAF presently operates 70-75 CF-188A/B+ jets and has additionally bought 25 older 18 F/A-18A/Bs from the Royal Australian Air Drive (RAAF). Of those, 12 are single seater F/A-18As, six are twin-seat ‘B’ variants, whereas the remaining seven are non-flyable Hornets to be cannibalized for spares and elements. These are anticipated to proceed flying till the early 2030s.
Presumably solely 16 F-35s
Within the Rosemary Barton present, Fuhr instructed the host that Prime Minister Mark Carney “will decide [on the contract] when he’s prepared.” Proper now, there’s solely the affirmation for the primary batch, because the spokesperson for Fuhr mentioned “Canada is contractually obligated to 16 plane, that are in varied levels of manufacturing with the producer.”
“There’s infrastructure being constructed out on the two fundamental working bases. And when [Carney] is snug with making a choice, he’ll make it,” additional mentioned Fuhr. He additionally denied any ties between the choice on the F-35 and Canada’s push to barter a commerce cope with President Donald Trump. “No, I’m not contemplating that. Once more, we’re a sovereign nation. We’ll make our personal selections and we’ll stand on our personal two ft,” he mentioned.
The CBC additionally touched upon a June Auditor Common of Canada (equal to the Authorities Accountability Workplace within the U.S) report that famous a whopping improve from the $19 billion price ticket to $27.7 billion for the 88 F-35As. The AG cited “inflation and elevated international demand for munitions” as two of the prime causes, since Canada would even be anticipated to purchase missiles just like the AIM-120 AMRAAM, AIM-9X Sidewinder, in addition to presumably air-to-ground munitions.
Moreover, F-35A Lightning II-centric infrastructure upgrades are additionally required at Canada’s older bases at CFB (Canadian Forces Base) Bagotville, Quebec, and CFB Chilly Lake, Alberta, to deal with the jets. These works are additionally working delayed, presumably including to the general cost-overruns.
Combined fleet
The potential of buying a European different just like the Saab JAS-39 Gripen had additionally shone the highlight on the logistical and infrastructural difficulties of working three various kinds of plane, given the various provide chains and operational and coaching methods. Opinions are divided amongst Canada’s political and navy management.
Finish Ex! 🇨🇦🇬🇧RCAF wraps up 3 intense weeks at #CobraWarrior 25-2 with @RoyalAirForce. Day & evening ops with @NATO allies sharpened techniques & boosted interoperability. Canada strengthened its function in securing airspace, wherever the missions take us.#AirPower #OpREASSURANCE pic.twitter.com/1yggofpSMb
— Royal Canadian Air Drive (@RCAF_ARC) October 3, 2025
Fuhr is in favor of a blended fleet, telling CBC: “What occurs if it’s important to persist in that area for months and months and years? The software that you simply use, is it the fitting software to try this job? That’s a really simplistic approach of it. However we have to have an entire wide selection of functionality units to cope with all of the eventualities that we might face.”
Excellent work by the Canadian 🇨🇦and Continental 🇺🇸 #NORAD areas for his or her operational excellence throughout #GlobalGuardian. Bomber missions show the credibility of our forces to deal with a world safety surroundings that’s extra various and unsure than at some other… pic.twitter.com/TdzgVnyUvF
— North American Aerospace Protection Command (@NORADCommand) August 26, 2025
An Oct. 7, 2025, report by CBC quoted Deputy Protection Minister Stefani Beck telling a Home of Commons committee that Canada is continuing “full steam forward” on the F-35 “till [they] hear in any other case.” CBC additionally mentioned the brand new RCAF commander Lt. Gen. Jamie Spenser-Blanchet was requested in regards to the blended fleet of plane, nevertheless “She partially ducked the questions by saying the air pressure can be required to handle two fleets all through the introduction of the F-35 as a result of the present CF-18s are anticipated to proceed flying till the early 2030s.”
Speiser-Blanchet did, nevertheless, say that working two separate fleets can be extra expensive and sophisticated. “It could duplicate a specific amount of infrastructure and coaching,” she mentioned.
From Sept 11–15, 410 Sqn deployed to CFB Comox for #FOXFRENZY25. Every day CF-18 Hornet flights supported Fighter Pilot Course and readiness coaching. This key occasion boosts prep for future CAF missions. #RCAF #CAFTraining 📸:S1 Brendan Gibson pic.twitter.com/Uyk52o67qF
— RCAF Operations (@RCAFOperations) September 17, 2025
The identical report additionally quoted retired RCAF Maj. Gen. Duff Sullivan, who supported the concept of a blended fleet, pointing to the U.S. Air Drive’s use of F-22s and F-16s in Alaska, with Canadian CF-18s additionally used for continental protection. “So right here now we have three various kinds of plane, however what makes us inter-operable are our techniques and procedures, not the kind of plane.”
