Canada takes delivery of first F-35 fighters as jet order remains under review
The Royal Canadian Air Force accepted two F-35 aircraft, but Ottawa is still deciding how many to buy.
On Friday, the Royal Canadian Air Force announced the arrival of two new F-35 fighter jets, photographed in Phoenix with a distinctive maple-leaf insignia. The delivery comes as Prime Minister Mark Carney has paused the original plan to purchase 88 of the stealth aircraft, opening the possibility of a blended fleet that might also feature Saab’s Gripen jets. Carney launched the procurement review after repeated trade threats and annexation comments from President Donald Trump, a process that was meant to be completed a year earlier.
The U.S. ambassador, Pete Hoekstra, hailed the F-35 as the premier fighter globally, though the air force did not specify when pilot training will begin. Former foreign minister Lloyd Axworthy warned in a recent blog that Washington retains control over the jet’s software, raising sovereignty concerns. The review remains ongoing, leaving the final size and composition of Canada’s next-generation fighter fleet uncertain.
Why it matters
Canada’s fighter procurement affects national defense capabilities, sovereignty over military technology, and bilateral ties with the United States.
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