Canada’s long-delayed F-35A fighter jet program is facing renewed uncertainty as Prime Minister Mark Carney’s government weighs whether to proceed with its planned fleet of 88 aircraft from Lockheed Martin or diversify toward a mixed fleet that could include Saab’s Gripen E.
The Liberal government first announced in March 2025 that it would “review” the purchase, citing heightened trade and diplomatic tensions with the United States. The move came as Canada was entering an election campaign.
Following his re-election, Carney has advocated for greater “diversification” in Ottawa’s defense and industrial partnerships. That stance was underscored by a new defense and trade cooperation framework signed with the European Union in June 2025.
Decision still pending
Canada’s F-35 saga dates back to July 2010, when then-Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s Conservative government announced plans to buy 65 F-35As for CAD 9 billion ($6.5 billion), arguing the aircraft was essential for national defense and Arctic sovereignty.
The decision quickly drew controversy. During the 2015 election, Liberal leader Justin Trudeau vowed to cancel the sole-source deal, accusing the Conservatives of bypassing competition and committing to an “unnecessary and expensive fighter.” After taking office, Trudeau’s government confirmed it would seek alternatives.
That pledge led to the launch of the Future Fighter Capability Project (FFCP) in 2017, an open competition to replace the CF-18s. Several manufacturers initially participated, including Boeing with the F/A-18 Super Hornet, Dassault Aviation with the Rafale, and Airbus with the Eurofighter Typhoon.
Dassault withdrew in 2018, citing interoperability and security concerns linked to Canada’s participation in the Five Eyes intelligence alliance, while Airbus followed in 2019, arguing the competition’s terms favored Lockheed Martin. In 2021, Boeing’s Super Hornet bid was also disqualified for undisclosed reasons.
In 2022, the Department of National Defence selected the F-35A over Saab’s JAS 39 Gripen E/F, and Ottawa formally notified an initial order for 16 aircraft in January 2023. However, the remainder of the 88-jet fleet remains unconfirmed.
A final decision was initially expected by the end of the summer, yet Carney’s office has not announced any outcome. While the RCAF remains firmly in favor of the F-35, key cabinet figures, including Minister of Industry Mélanie Joly, have raised concerns about the contract’s economic balance.
Military urges urgency
During a recent parliamentary hearing, Deputy Minister of National Defence Stefanie Beck defended the F-35 acquisition, arguing that fifth-generation capabilities are essential to maintain parity with adversaries.
“It is impossible to underestimate the importance of having fifth-generation aircraft because that is what our adversaries have,” Beck said, pointing to Russia’s Su-57 and China’s J-20 and J-35 fighters.
RCAF Commander General Jamie Speiser-Blanchet echoed that warning, noting that both countries field advanced aircraft and high-speed missile systems. “It is urgent to transition to a new fleet of fighters,” she said.
Economic pressures mount
Despite military backing, the F-35’s ballooning costs remain contentious. A 2024 report from the Office of the Auditor General of Canada (OAG) estimated that the total acquisition cost had increased by at least 46% since 2022, reaching CAD 27.7 billion ($20 billion).
Joly has since pressed Lockheed Martin to provide additional industrial benefits or risk seeing the order scaled down.
“Ottawa could obtain further commitments from Lockheed Martin in exchange for maintaining the 88-fighter contract,” Joly said in an interview on October 12, 2025. “Otherwise, the government could procure fewer F-35s and complement them with Gripen Es assembled in Canada.”
Joly added that her priority was ensuring taxpayers’ money “reduces dependence on the United States and creates jobs in Canada.”
Debate over a mixed fleet
The proposal to split procurement between the F-35 and Gripen faces strong resistance from defense officials. According to a study cited by Reuters in August 2025, the military warned that maintaining two fighter fleets would be “inefficient from an operational standpoint.”
Joly dismissed that view, arguing that “all G7 countries have mixed fleets” and that Canada should pursue a similar model.
“My objective is to obtain more industrial value from Lockheed Martin while continuing discussions with Saab,” Joly concluded.
Canada and Sweden signed a major aerospace and defence partnership in August 2025, with Ottawa and Stockholm pledging joint research, technology development, and industrial cooperation. The agreement emphasised Arctic security as a shared priority amid rising Russian activity and alliance realignments in the High North.
32 comments
Buy both for now. Gripen E is a better fit to protect Cdn air space as it is an interceptor capable of armed supercruise. Gripen E also carries ramjet Meteor that F-35 has failed to integrate. Fall 2025 report: “F-35 continues to over promise and under deliver”. Failing deliveries, costs, readiness and the block 4 upgrade for 2020 will now be completed 10 years late in 2030.
I agree. 1st 88 fighters is an inadequate # & the Gripen brings operational diversity & jobs while enhancing ties with our Nordic European Partners! Also Lockheed must bring more industrial value for Canadians.
All G7 countries, including the USA, have a mixed fleet
Canada should not buy from the Americans. They have already said on camera that they wouldn’t give other Nations the full capacity of the fighters. Add to that the unstable head of State there, and these fighters get software updates from the U.S. Smart money diversifies. Buy Gripen!
Source that “full capacity” claim. The entire killswitch hysteria was made as anti-F35 rhetoric and was proven false, multiple times by countries that have already procured the aircraft. “Unstable head of State” you mean the one that has struck more peace deals than most modern US presidents? Interesting take. Canada is allowed to determine how and even where updates are made and pushed, if they want LM to have LM Canada employees only they can make that the terms. LM is very flexible in being transparent with customers without revealing IP.
Canada First instead of America First. Ukrainian F-16s were disabled for a while —why does an unstable Orange man need to be in charge of Canadian defence?
Canada should be looking at a mixed fleet of combat aircraft. With the defence budget increasing over the next ten years, Canada can afford not to restrict itself to putting all of its eggs into one basket. Yes – a mixed fleet would be more expensive, but the Americans have a mixed fleet, the Chinese and Russians have mixed fleets, and a lot of Asian and European military’s have mixed fleets of different types of aircraft. Australia has a mixed fleet. Canada will need a lot more than 88 aircraft to safeguard the second largest landmass and the longest coastline in the work. A nation of some 9,984,670 square kilometres in land mass needs more than 88 small aircraft. And lest not forget about our NATO and NORAD commitments. To achieve this, Canada will need more aircraft. If the JAS-39 is the great cost-saver that it’s touted to be, then we could use a fleet of those fighters on-top of the 88 F35 fighters. It’s time to stop thinking small. Canada has an aggressive and belligerent neighbour to the south now. One that is keen to double cross, insult, marginalize and intimidate their neighbours and trading partners. Canada is on its own now. Its time to start thinking much bigger.
What a pathetic weak country Canada has become. So indecisive and impotent on every major project and expenditures. .Our country has feeloaded off the USA for defence for decades and now yet again the Carney Liberals want to screw with the Americans on jet purchases. We deserve what is happening to us now .Oh Canada.
why are you stupid
If we’re freeloading they can go ahead and give us the Jets for free, otherwise we need to be able to defend ourselves against them.
Just a note on this article. Canada has been involved with the F35 program since the late 90s but no one seems to want to acknowledge this. If Canada was serious about its defence and presence on the world stage, a multi fleet fighter force would be great. This is not the way of the CAF, I served for 30 years. Canada should look to the Australians to see how there F35 roll out happened. Fast, efficient and within a year after their final jet was acquired, they were off the US teat.
Keep votng liberal. Let’s wait a few more years so the price can increase another 40 percent. Carney is a snake at the head of the most corrupt regime in our history.
Why is an F35 costing 4 times more to buy and 10 time more to fly than a Gripen?
Canada does not have a trillion dollars military budget.
Then there is the Grippen’s much better suitability to Canadian conditions and needs. It’s faster, has a longer range, cheaper to maintain and operate, integrates weel with any other western systems, has a new and improved navigation and detection system that comes close to the F-35’s, is a fraction of the price, cannot be co-opted and/or crippled by the Americans at will, F-35 parts are entirely dependent on the US and remain US owner even after purchaser and while they are in operation. F-35’s are currently having a terrible time with production and quality, they are US manufactured, they are difficult to integrate with non-US equipment or armaments, Grippens are easier to train for are more versatile and work well with other systems. Grippens would be made in Canada and can be upgraded by our own military if necessary. There is so much more that makes the zGrippen a superior choice for Canadas, I’m surprised we have to discuss the issue.
Our swedish plane are good, even by us standard
The problem is that the block4 version of the F35 is plagued with multiple problems to a point that even the US Airforce decided to cut by half the acquisition of these jets. So far, the exorbitant cost of maintenance makes that less than 30% of these jets are combat ready in their military bases worldwide. I am sceptical that Canada will take possession of the committed 16 planes on time.
Superior aerodynamic, actually built for air to air, designed for asymmetrical warfare and won’t fall out of the sky when the stupids elect a worse tyrant. Our defence experts need to be replaced if they’re pushing f35s
Does Canada really think Trump or USA give a hoot if they cancel the F35 order? only 88 aircraft…
Nobody cares here in the USA. Feel free to go with the Saab fighter, that decision will haunt Canada for decades.
The Saab Gripen is a very high quality 3rd/4th gen fighter…but not competitive in 5th/6th gen fighter world.
Carney trying to hold F35 order as leverage with US on trade talks – bad decision. This will just piss off Trump & Americans even more. Canadians increasingly unhappy with the US, our trade policies etc – well the Americans are getting tired of the complaining & threats from Canada as well. Canada’s strategy is to ‘hold out’, wait 3 years for a democrat to occupy the White House – problem for Canada is the politics have shifted ‘right’ (permanently?) in US for sure – a democrat President will not save Canada in 3 yrs. Canada already ‘boycotts’ American products, travel boycott to the US etc – all that does is piss off Americans. The reality is the US can handle your boycotts just fine…but Canada’s economy will collapse without the US ‘market’ for your cars, lumber, oil etc. Unfortunately for Canada – Trump & his administration know this (as well as the US consumer).
Let’s see how this plays out then, shall we!
What is happening within a country is internal business for that country alone.
The USA have decided to destabilize the world, using their economy as a weapon.
How about the USA stop being imperialists?
Let other countries do whatever they want.
What the USA is currently doing is forcing all countries of the world to seek other partners, seeking as much independence as possible from the USA.
It is likely to develop into a commercial suicide for the USA in long term.
Given the ambitions displayed by the United States, we should unequivocally reject the F-35. Historically, the United States has deliberately undermined Canada. Canada’s huge naivety has led to its current predicament, where it can only survive by selling its natural resources. If Canada still wishes to exist as a nation, it should unhesitatingly treat the United States as a common trading partner and reshape its own industry, continuously upgrading its manufacturing sector and increasing the added value of its exports.
No Meteor missle on the F35. Move on to the Grippen.
Buy Gripen assembled in canada.
Saab Griphen for sure. Cost effective with greater flexibility. Proven to out detect when compared to the F35. No proven problem with having two different aircrafts to maintain.
Diversification is right – otherwise, why did Carney sign agreement with Sweden?
Canada should just follow Australia’s example in acquisition of the F-35. As more partners adopt the same platform it will only benefit Canada more to be part of the same fleet. It speeds up integration and streamlines upgrade path for everyone. The Gripen was built thinking that we were still going to fight like the old days. Ukraine has myth busted a lot of that old age thinking. Gripen’s sensors are inferior, it’s range is inferior, it’s stealth is inferior. The ability to maintain a supercruise does not matter when it will be destroyed at BVR because it simply can’t see the target it needs to eliminate and in some instance even if it does then systems will struggle to maintain a lock. Look at cases of the F-22 (also an LM product) where pilot accounts tell of the frustration of seeing a target in visual range and their systems failing to recognize anything is even there. Look at Gripen’s rhetoric as well, they’ve tried to downplay stealth yet we saw what happened when the F-35 took part in Iranian strikes and Russian missiles couldn’t find it and motors burned out as the missiles fell to the ground. Gripen has also tried to downplay the sensor suite of the F-35 when the Gripen’s suite is objectively inferior, there are RF engineers that have even written articles on this.
As an interceptor the Gripen isn’t bad (even though the F-22 made in 1997 would still beat it), but if you want to have an aircraft that can fill multiple roles in your fleet and be good at it then the 35 is the sensible investment. If you really need an interceptor (Canada really doesn’t need a dedicated platform for this) then yes going mixed makes sense. Yet what is Canada’s current strategy? Canada has typically been a supporting force not a spearhead like the US. In that case the 35 is still the better option.
Gripen E sensor are design to detect, track and engage 5th generation fighters.
This is why nobody wants to bid on Canadian government contracts, they take dithering and indecision to new heights, MAKE A FINAL CHOICE ALREADY!!!!
That “reason” about a single source fleet is being pushed by Lockheed Martin in order to sell their fighters. US, UK, France, China and Russia have mixed fleets. Yes, it has an extra cost, but the risks of dependence in an unreliable and unstable supply country and its tantrum government and threats of a kill switch are too high, so Canada needs to have more baskets where to put our eggs. Gripen E is a good option and there are more. Just do it faster, a discussion that has taken 15 years is not sane.
Looking long term, the F35 has too many short comings for a 5th gen fighter. Canada has the north to contend with that is not compatible with the F35, but is very compatible with the Gripen. Not withstanding the array of weapons (Ramjet Meteor) that is not compatible with the F35.
I really believe that (75) the Gripen is the correct new fighter to complement the (16) F35 and that the 6th gen fighter coming in the next 5 years will be there to coplement the F35 as a next stealth aircraft.
The Chinese have the most advanced radar that detects the F22 and F35 stealth fighters, to date and until a new 6th gen is available, more F35 is not the answer.
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Report: F-35 froze in Alaskan skies – destroyed in fireball
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Report: F-35 froze in Alaskan skies – destroyed in fireball
The situation ended up in a video: Frozen F-35 falls down in Alaska like a feather.
Published 28.08.2025
According to the report, water entering the hydraulic system caused the destruction of the F-35 fighter in Alaska.
A US Air Force F-35A fighter crashed dramatically in January 2025 at Eielson Air Force Base in Alaska.
Before the crash, the pilot of the plane noticed a malfunction in the plane’s hydraulic system, which caused the fighter’s landing gear to not function normally. The pilot had been frantically trying to resolve the problem in the air with experts from manufacturer Lockheed Martin for 50 minutes.
However, the problem could not be resolved during the call and the fault condition worsened. Finally, the pilot had no choice but to abandon the plane and escape in an ejection seat.
With the behavior of the USA in the last 10 months, it has come to light that it seems quite risky for Canada to be relying on an unstable ally.
Canada can only gain in stability with seeking an increase diversity of business and/or military partners.
F35 is so much more expensive and more costly to maintain, not to mention the reliance on our not so friendly neighbours. Gripen has less issues, costs considerably less, and there is the offer to build and maintain in Canada. It’s a no brainer, come on! All the talk is to become more self reliant, so do it for God’s sake!