Canada’s ongoing review of its planned F-35 purchase is expected to wrap up by the end of September 2025 but, as highlighted by the Ottawa Citizen, the US has already warned of “serious consequences” should Ottawa abandon the deal.
Canada’s review of its planned F-35 fighter jet purchase is expected to conclude by late September. Speaking to Ottawa Citizen, Department of National Defense spokesperson Alex Tétreault confirmed that the findings would be finalized by “the end of the calendar summer,” after which they will be submitted to Prime Minister Mark Carney for a final decision.
Back in May 2025, US Ambassador to Canada Pete Hoekstra warned a Canadian withdrawal could jeopardize the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD), which Hoekstra argued requires both nations to fly the same fighter type to remain “interchangeable.”
NORAD is a joint US–Canada organization responsible for aerospace warning, control, and defense of the continent’s skies. It operates a network of satellites, radars, and fighter jets to detect and intercept potential threats across North America.
A long and turbulent procurement story
In July 2010, Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s Conservative government announced plans to purchase 65 F-35As for C$9 billion, arguing the aircraft was essential for Canada’s defense and Arctic sovereignty.
That decision quickly became controversial. During the 2015 federal election campaign, Liberal leader Justin Trudeau pledged to cancel the sole-source F-35 plan, accusing the Conservatives of bypassing competition and committing to an “unnecessary and expensive fighter.” After taking office in November 2015, Trudeau’s government confirmed Canada would seek alternatives.
This led to the launch of the Future Fighter Capability Project (FFCP) in 2017, an open competition to replace the aging CF-18 Hornet fleet. Several manufacturers initially participated, including Boeing with the F/A-18 Super Hornet, Dassault with the Rafale, and Airbus with the Eurofighter Typhoon. However, Dassault withdrew in 2018, citing interoperability and security restrictions linked to Canada’s membership in the Five Eyes intelligence alliance. Airbus followed in 2019, arguing that the competition’s terms favored Lockheed Martin. In 2021, Boeing’s Super Hornet was disqualified for undisclosed reasons.
By March 2022, the choice had narrowed to Lockheed Martin’s F-35 and Saab’s Gripen. Ottawa once again selected the F-35, framing the decision around NATO obligations, NORAD interoperability, and the need to assert Arctic sovereignty. The deal was valued at around $19 billion for 88 jets, with first deliveries scheduled for 2025.
The decision brought Canada back full circle to its original F-35 choice, though not without controversy.
Sweden still in the picture
Saab, however, has long argued that the competition was not conducted fairly.
In 2023, Saab Canada President Simon Carroll accused Ottawa of breaking its own tender rules by renegotiating cost, delivery, and industrial benefit details with Lockheed Martin after bids had closed. Saab maintained that such negotiations effectively tilted the field in favor of the F-35, echoing earlier concerns voiced by Dassault and Airbus when they withdrew from the contest.
These accusations continue to resonate today as Canada weighs whether to uphold or modify its F-35 commitment.
Sweden has kept its fighter offer alive in a loose form through political and industrial partnerships. In August 2025, Ottawa and Stockholm announced a new aerospace and defense cooperation framework with a strong focus on Arctic security.
Under previous offers, Saab pledged that Gripen fighters could be assembled and maintained in Canada, ensuring local jobs and greater industrial independence. Supporters of a mixed fleet argue that the Gripen is more suited to austere Arctic airfields and Canada’s vast northern geography than the F-35.
That industrial and strategic dimension has ensured the Gripen remains part of the conversation, even after Canada formally selected the F-35 in 2022.
Program delays add new uncertainty
The debate is further complicated by ongoing difficulties in the F-35 program itself. On September 3, 2025, the US Government Accountability Office (GAO) revealed that the Block 4 upgrade, the version Canada intends to acquire, is now $6 billion over budget and five years behind schedule. The GAO also noted that Lockheed Martin was late in delivering all 110 F-35s in 2024, with delays averaging 238 days, compared to 61 days in 2023.
The Department of National Defense said it is monitoring the situation, but critics argue the delays highlight the risks of tying Canada’s fighter fleet so closely to a program controlled by Washington.
Retired Lieutenant General Yvan Blondin, once a champion of the aircraft, has since called for the purchase to be reconsidered, citing Washington’s reliability under the Trump administration as a concern.
“US F-35 support has to be considered in the same light as the security of Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty: it may or may not be there when needed, it is not under our control,” Blondin said.
Canada’s review will conclude within weeks. Whether Ottawa chooses to reaffirm its full 88-jet F-35 order, adjust the scope, or consider introducing a second aircraft type, the decision is sure to shape both the Royal Canadian Air Force’s future fleet and the broader trajectory of Canada’s relationship with its closest ally.
47 comments
Canada would be wise to consider the Gripen instead of the F35. The US is on a downward trajectory internationally and it would be in both NATO’s as well as Canadas interest to select the Swedish fighter.
Purchasing the F-35 is an absolute mistake. It will weaken Canada economically and completely dominate its military at the hands of the United States. Canada’s sovereignty will effectively disappear!
Canada should now take the Gripen! Many more planes for the price! Creates work in Canada. It’s built for cold weather. It’s still works with the American F 35’s. Saab will be coming out with a Gen 6 soon. Why purchase a jet plagued with problems that need special hangers to protect the paint. Trump and his cronies has pushed us to far! Enough is enough. Canada doesn’t need the US! It’s time Canada makes itself independent of the US. Gripen will also allow Canadians to help develop the 6th generation. For fucks sake the Americans have a mixed fleet when it comes to NORAD so why not us. Do what’s best for our country! Fuck Trump!
You do realize that EVERYTHING about Canada is dependent on the USA, right? We purchase almost all of your goods even though we dont need to. We
supply your electricity during droughts. We refine a large percentage of your oil. We LET YOU basically steal a good portion of or steel/aluminum industry , we LET you tariff us while we didnt tariff you. The USA is the ONLY reason you havent been invaded by Russia. Your Air Force uses 90 fifty year old F18’s. It’s our Radar that keeps tabs on Russia and OUR Navy that stops them from landing on your shores. We are ALL Canada has, militarily and economically and you want to get rude and piss all over America??? Bunch of ungratefule.rude, snobby, assholes is what you are. Who’s going to protect you without the USA??? Dont expect the British or Europe. They have only half assed helped Ukraine is in their BACK YARD! So you want to burn our flag and piss all over us after we’ve been the only thing saving you from Russia? Fine. No problem. We’ll leave you be and let you ungrateful arseholes DEFEND YOURSELVES from Russia and China. You’re nothing but an ungrateful grumbling, useless burden to us!
This comment here is exactly why Canada is reconsidering. Boorish Americans…
As udual Americand use threats when they don’t get their way. Russia isn’t a threat to Canada, the States has become more of a threat thann anyone else. The F35 is a first Strike aircraft, we do not need. The military wans it so they can br the big bboy on the block.
Stand on our own, not as a puppet of the U. S.
Remember thar whatever they tell us the cost, expect it to be 2 to 3 times morr.
Why buy a pig in a poke like the f35? It has to be refueled from an aerial tanker right after takeoff because it can’t get off the ground with a full load of fuel to feed it’s single engine. Just ask any pilot who flew at Cold Lake what the Arctic tundra looks like, and what if they had to eject onto it because the single engine flamed out for lack of fuel or mechanical failure or the American control of the electronics could go awry or numerous other factors. The Gripen or the Typhoon are reliable platforms for the main purpose of locating the enemy and launching a Sidewinder into the tailpipe of the enemy. The lone pilot of the aircraft will too busy with all of the fancy electronics and gizmos and keeping the plane in the air to fulfill the reason he/she is up in the air in the first place in the F35. And besides who needs to listen to Hoekstra and Agent Orange and their threats, anyway! Time for looking after Canada first, never mind such a greedy country like the US.
Trump has already said, that the US will be putting ultimate controls (command chips) into these military units. Meaning that if the US thinks Canada is not behaving in a way that the US government deems as friendly that they can turn off updates and can control these military units from their own command centre’s. This ultimately means that Canada will need to always take their side on any issues the US government deem important to the USA, which could also mean bending the knee to a fascist government, by way of trade or becoming the 51st state. This could mean that Canada ends up with fighter jets that can’t be updated, controlled or used as Canada sees fit. Canada also needs to be aware that the USA has eyes on the Arctic shipping lanes. Trump will want to bypass Canada and take full control. There will be billions if not trillions to be made once those shipping lanes open up. Hence the bid for Greenland and Canada to become part of the USA.
yes..exactly. Well said / summarized..
The United States has become a hostile foreign power and it makes little sense for them to control the manufacturer delivery and maintenance of whatever fighter plane we purchase. I can’t say if there’s a better alternative as I am no expert, but I do know putting the security of Canada’s north in the hands of a president who threatened to annex both Canada and Greenland is foolhardy.
As crazy as this sounds, think that former PM Trudeau was correct to suggest purchasing the F18 “Super Hornets” to replace the CF18 fleet. The Gripen uses a General Electric engine that the US can veto a sale to any potential customer. The Boeing Super Hornet production line is close to ending but if Canada switches from the F35 to the Super Hornet, the United States would be okay with that! Also better to have a dual engine fighter for patrolling in northern Canada.
There has only been one Gripen ever lost in the entire program due to an engine issue of any kind and that Gripen was basted with a flock of cormorants on final and the pilot was ok. Only pilot ever lost in a Gripen in the entire program and the cause was determined the pilot error disorientation at and airshow. The Gripen E can supercruise to intercept which means it can fly armed above mach 1 without afterburner. Neither the F-35 or F-18E not so super hornet can do this. Gripen E has 50% more fuel internal from the earlier smaller variants of the Gripen increasing range without external tanks.
Why not typhoon or Rafale, more power, more range, more payload, more sensors, European components.
Canada use to have a mixed fleet, many countries do. I vote we go with the minimum order or enough to make up a squadron and then order another dual engine airframe.
Concern that F35 is a one shot pony….stealth which has had some instances of being defeated and over time should be less stealthy. Poor performance as a fighter. Not adequate for ground support, poor armor limited ordinance, maybe 6 + need to do the work of 1 A 10. poor speed and range. Little value averting naval swarm attacks or interception. Poor for rescue search, support. Good for taking out Sam sites ect. Adding exterior ordinance, fuel tanks. Deletes stealth. Do we really want to put all of our defensive eggs in one basket.
In many instances may be better served with more low cost and high tech drones. Lots of 35 support cost.
Sovereignty is worth more than a trade deal. The US is our biggest threat so spending all that money on US jets, maintenance, updates and American jobs is totally wrong. The US doesn’t respect Canada and only issues threats and bullying tactics. The true facts are they need us more than we need them.
The USA is not Canada’s friend. The USA reneges on their agreements over and over – all around the world. Think of the how the US screwed Canada on the Gordie Howe bridge between Windsor and Detroit. US is not a serious or reliable trading partner.
Meanwhile, the Gripen fighters are from a reliable and honest trading partner, plus much of the manufacturing will be done in Canada instead of some vicious US fascist state who apparently hates Canada.
Amazing at how uneducated you people are. You dont even know how much you rely on the USA! The USA is not only your LARGEST TRADING PARTNER, the USA purchases 2/3rds of ALL Canadian goods!!! So according to YOU, we are not a “reliable trading partner.”.SMDH. Not a problem for us. We can close all of our American factories in Canada and reopen them in Mexico. After WE LET YOU steel a good chunk of our steel industry, our plants are still sitting there waiting to reopen. We buy NINETY PERCENT of your steel and aluminum. I hope you galvanized your steel because its going to sit there and rust when we reopen our factories. And all that oil Canada produces? The USA has to refine 70% of it FOR YOU. When your hydroelectric plants couldnt run because of drought for a couple of years, WHO supplied your electricity? We did. Who was tariffing American milk 100%??? Canada! You tariffed our meat and farm products sky high for years too. For YEARS, I have paid a significant amount in taxes to defend not just the USA but also Canada from Russia. All that time Canada spent a pathetic less than 1% of its GDP on national defense even though it agreed with NATO to spend between 3% to 5%. THERE IS NOTHING Canada has that America cant make for itself!!! We have over a 35 BILLION DOLLAR trade deficit with Canada. We dont NEED Canada. But Canada would wither and die without us! You people are nothing but selfish, ungrateful, arseholes. We should close all our American factories and businesses there, stop refining your oil, cut off your steel and trade, and let you find other buyers (if you can). Because everyone else wants to sell product, not buy. And we should give Russia a wink and a nod that says “It’s all yours Boys!”
U.S Ambassador to Canada – Herman Goering doppelganger!!
The time has come to stand on our two feet. Cut the f-35 order in half and diversify to Saab Gripen and work with Bombardier to make our own fighter. They want us to crawl back to Tarrif table begging….They are on the downside of there Energy and will be looking for more….Build Canada our way,we started with over the horizon radar system from austrailia…..Let’s keep going our way. Bombardier will be a key for Canadian rebuild.
Downside of our energy? LMAO! We’re the worlds largest producer of oil and gas and we export a good chunk of it to help European Countries. Canada cant even refine 70% of its own oil. We have to do it for you. When you had your years long drought, we just fired up our inactive electric generator plants and supplied your electricity for you. Stand on your own 2 feet??? LMAO! 2/3rds of everything you sell is purchased by the USA. You can hardly afford to ship it and even if you could, other countries want to SELL PRODUCT, NOT BUY! But you go right on ahead and try that whole shut off America thing. When all is said and done, you’re much less an asset and more of a liability.
Engines.
The Gripen depends on American export licenses for them. Guess what happens if Canada declines to order F-35s…
Sorry but the Typhoon is really the only option – twin engined too.
Is Canada willing to support it’s own defense? They haven’t done so for years in that the US tax payer has been paying the tab long enough. Canada should think long and hard about not buying the F35 since the USA is getting tired of paying for Canada’s defense. Look up the word entitled and you see Canadians.
You are an idiot. Screw the Americans, screw Trump and screw you.
is that you Pete
President Trump is an unhinged crass narcissist. We absolutely should not commit billions of dollars subject to his delusional fantasies.
A mixed fleet of F-35’s & Gripens would not be out of the question. Back in the 50’s wen Dief axed the Arrow, Canada bought two aircraft, the Voodoo and Starfighter. Although both were American (no surprise), they were built by competing manufacturers, Douglas (Voodoo) and Lockheed (Starfighter). The problem with playing with the Americans is they always want to win it all at any expense and will kick & scream and threaten and sue until they get their way. The world is getting tired of this never-ending game of insatiable greed and winning at all costs. It’s time Canada stood up and said “enough is enough” before it’s too late. We might be surprised. Maybe we’ll get some respect and even some new friends who will join us in this game of BS poker.
Americans want to “WIn it all” you say??? BY FAR we have given this ungrateful world much more than we have received. While I was paying a sizeable portion of my taxes to protect not just the USA but also an ungrateful Canada, your Cuntry wouldnt even live up to itvs NATO agreement to spend at least 3% of its GDP on national defense. Canada wasnt even spending 1%! 2/3rds of all your business comes from the US. We refine 70% of your oil. That’s because you dont want to spend the money on shipping. Canada wants to go its own way? Fine by me. Nothing but a bunch of ungrateful pompous people anyway. That 2/3rds of your economy? Plenty of other places would love to have it. Supply your own National defense? No problem. We’ll pull our 1 trillion dollar defense away and see if you prefer russian made vodka over canadian whiskey. Im sick of hearing you people badmouth us. Truth is, all you are is one more burdensome puppy draining the hind tit of America.
The only consolation with Ottawa’s protracted dithering re the purchase is that when they finally arrive they’ll be block 4 standard and may even the engine core upgrade so at least they’ll work as originally intended. As with most contracts withdrawal would be so punitive (and no reasonable alternative) easier to continue with the purchase.
We are not looking for easier. We need reliability, RThe US is not reliable. Noted by their 6 billion reset and 5 year delay. The Gripen will provide years of quality jobs assembling them and maintaining them
US is not reliable??? Where was Canada when we needed them during the Iraq war? You think Europe will show up to protect you if Russia attacks you??? ALL OF Europe has barely even shown up to help support Ukraine which is LITERALLY in their backyard! It’s not anywhere near the USA but we’ve been providing over half the support. Face it, if Russia attacks you, NO-ONE is going to come help you. Keep on badmouthing and insulting us, we’ll be happy to watch you TRY to take on Russia alone.
The statement about using the same type of aircraft is a lie. The agreement does not say that anywhere in the documents. Another US scare tactic using their bought and paid for media.
Canada is overly dependent on the US and cannot support or defend itself without America. Trump may well be a bully, but Canada will eventually bend the knee. It’s just a question of time (negotiating renewal of CUSMA) and Canada’s tolerance for economic pain.
You are a special kind of stupid. Canada will not bend the knee to anyone, especially moron Americans.
BWAAHAAHAAHAAHA! You’re funny. Canada didn’t even show up for the Iraq war. Your ENTIRE economy is dependent on America, yet America needs absolutely NOTHING from Canada.
It’s the US that is overly dependent on Canada in this situation.
The threats are essentially directed at the US and Canada has the misfortune to have a noisy neighbor – one who left thousands of tonnes of toxic waste behind when it shut down its obsolete radar stations in the early Seventies.
If the US needs defending, defend it yourself.
Swedish Gripen played “war Theater” with Danish F35 over te Kattegat basin. The Interoperability was a win-win regarding operational results.!!
You can get the confirmation seeking on Google with search: “Gripen F35 Kattegat”. So Trump lies as always!
Carney can’t expect Canadians to boycott all things American and then by American Jets. Scrap the deal and go Gripen.
Quit yer gripen and buy the F-35 already.
Canada needs to purchase the Gripen. The United States pentagon can no longer be trusted to be a reliable partner. Canada is on the rise and as a citizen of the United States I love it.
This seems like a no brainer ..with the new price and 5 year delay we can’t rely on the US F-35..on the other hand the Gripen is better suited and will create good jobs here in Canada assembling and maintaining them here in Canada. Hopefully Canada makes the right decision..
Those no good incompetent Liberals are gonna screw things up again like the Sea King helicopter fiasco ! They are so incompetent when it comes to military matters it’s a disgrace !
Ditch all the American shit and buy from South Korea. They learned sometime ago that you can’t trust uss Buy K2 K9 kss3 kf21 Boramae . All of this can be made in Canada
The Yanks were looking to supply the F16 to Columbia and Peru with the veiled threats from the Orange Idiot and they still went with the Gripen. Lets face it the F35 is a dud, half of Britain’s fleet are grounded at any one time so seriously what is the point.
Why have Americans, for decades now, thrown a temper tantrum every time it looks like things don’t go their way. The Gripen is cheaper to operate, NATO integrated and isnt always on the ground being serviced. Half of Britain’s F35s are grounded at any one time. Much like American cars they ain’t that good allround.
Canada is committed to buy 16 F-35s. Once purchased could we not sell them to a country that already has F-35s?
I have been in the aerospace industry for over 24 years. F-35s, like it or not, is the best fighter for Canada. Manufacturing/maintaining are a lot more difficult than you think. We do not have the infrastructure, people, and political systems to deal with what Saab is proposing. Furthermore, a “kill switch” is not a thing. Lots of hate on our American friends based on geopolitical ideology. A report should be released soon. There has been a study on the five criteria’s Canada is looking at. All of which the F35 has grossly outscored!