**Ottawa**: Canada’s Defence Minister Bill Blair announces a review of the F-35 programme amidst Portugal’s withdrawal from similar plans. The government considers alternatives while facing complex logistical and financial challenges linked to its existing F-35 agreements and partnerships with U.S. manufacturers.
On March 14, 2024, Canada’s Defence Minister Bill Blair announced that the country is exploring alternatives to the F-35 stealth fighter, which has been the subject of extensive discussion and planning within the government. The announcement coincided with the recent news that Portugal would be abandoning its plans to purchase the F-35, a decision made public by Portuguese Defence Minister Nuno Melo in an interview with Público on March 13, 2025.
Canada’s plan for acquiring F-35s has been a longstanding issue, following the finalisation of an agreement on January 9, 2023, with the United States government and Lockheed Martin to purchase a fleet of 88 F-35A jets, priced at an estimated 19 billion Canadian dollars (approximately 13.2 billion USD). This deal marks the largest investment in the Royal Canadian Air Force in 30 years and follows over two decades of partnership in the Joint Strike Fighter programme, during which Canada has invested around 500 million USD. This commitment has allowed Canadian companies to secure contracts worth over 1.8 billion USD related to the F-35 programme.
In an interview on CBC’s “Power & Politics,” Bill Blair stated, “It was the fighter jet identified by our air force as the platform that they required, but we are also examining other alternatives—whether we need all of those fighter jets to be F-35.” His comments indicate a willingness to consider options from European manufacturers, particularly Sweden’s Saab, whose Gripen aircraft was a contender in the competition to supply Canada’s next generation of fighter jets.
Despite the shift in discussion, Canada faces significant challenges if it decides to withdraw from the F-35 program. Blair acknowledged that while discussions are ongoing, “terminating the contract won’t be that easy,” as Canada has already made payments for 16 of the aircraft expected to be delivered in the coming year. Exiting the contract could lead to financial penalties, though the specific costs of such a move remain uncertain.
Previously, Canada had attempted to acquire a fleet of F-35s in 2010 without competition, but that initiative was ultimately abandoned in favour of a competitive bidding process that included a temporary acquisition of 18 Super Hornets, later replaced by 18 aircraft from the Royal Australian Air Force after complications arose in the original plan due to trade disputes.
The selection of the F-35 was reaffirmed in March 2022 as part of Canada’s Future Fighter Capability Project (FFCP), aimed at replacing the aging fleet of CF-188 Hornets. However, the discussions sparked by Blair’s recent remarks indicate a potential shift towards diversifying the country’s fighter jet fleet.
While accepting a small number of F-35s, Canada could look at adding another aircraft type such as the Gripen. This approach would complicate logistical operations due to the different types of aircraft requiring varied infrastructure and training support. Blair’s comments also suggested interest in the prospect of assembling fighter jets in Canada, which aligns with Sweden’s offer regarding the Gripen.
The F-35 programme has been tightly regulated by the United States, which limits the ability of international partners to test or modify the aircraft independently. According to the U.S. Air Force’s guidelines, only U.S. citizens are permitted to conduct specific functions involving critical U.S. technology. This situation has created uncertainty among partners regarding the long-term viability of the F-35 as a defence solution.
As Canada reassesses its relationship with the F-35 programme and considers future defence strategies, it is navigating complex financial, logistical, and operational challenges that will dictate the direction of its military capabilities. The confidence of allies and partners in the U.S. defence sector is waning, further complicating the landscape for Canada’s defence acquisitions.
Source: Noah Wire Services
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