Canada Reconsiders F-35 Purchase: A Review Underway Amid U.S. Tensions
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has initiated a review of the plan to acquire 88 U.S.-made F-35 fighter jets, amid rising U.S.-Canada tensions over trade and sovereignty. The assessment aims to determine if the current contract serves Canada's best interests or if alternatives may be more beneficial as defense strategies evolve.
hassan benyoub 
Ottawa, March 16, 2025 – Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has ordered a review of the nation’s plan to acquire a fleet of U.S.-made F-35 fighter jets, the Department of National Defence announced Saturday. The move signals a potential shift in Canada’s defense strategy as relations with Washington grow increasingly strained over trade tariffs and sovereignty concerns.
Details of the Deal and Review
The agreement, struck with Lockheed Martin and the U.S. government, involves the purchase of 88 F-35 jets at an estimated cost of $85 million USD each, totaling roughly $7.5 billion USD for the aircraft alone. Laurent de Casanove, press secretary to Defence Minister Bill Blair, stated that Carney has tasked Blair with assessing whether the current F-35 contract represents “the best investment for Canada” or if alternative options might better serve national interests. “We must ensure the contract, as it stands, is in the best interests of Canadians and the Canadian Armed Forces,” de Casanove emphasized.
While the contract remains intact, Canada is legally committed to purchasing the first 16 aircraft, with deliveries of the initial four slated for 2026 and the final 18 by 2032. The review, launched days after Carney’s Friday inauguration, reflects a cautious approach amid a “changing environment,” a phrase de Casanove linked to ongoing U.S.-Canada tensions.
Strategic Context and Alternatives
The F-35s are intended to replace the Royal Canadian Air Force’s aging CF-18 fleet, a decision finalized in 2023 after years of debate. However, Blair indicated Friday on CBC that the government is now exploring whether all 88 jets must be F-35s or if other aircraft could meet Canada’s needs—particularly those offering domestic assembly and maintenance opportunities. “The Prime Minister’s directive is to examine all our options to ensure we make the right decision for Canada,” Blair said, hinting at discussions with non-U.S. manufacturers like Sweden’s Saab, whose Gripen E proposal once promised Canadian production.
Posts on X from Saturday reflect public sentiment, with users like @MilTech_Lover noting a “global trend” of reconsidering U.S. defense reliance, citing Portugal’s similar F-35 rethink. The timing aligns with U.S. President Donald Trump’s threats of tariffs and annexation rhetoric, prompting calls on X, such as @lederniervrai’s, to “serve Trump the same medicine” by scrapping the deal.
Implications Amid Rising Tensions
Carney’s review, announced hours after his swearing-in, unfolds against a backdrop of a U.S.-Canada trade war and Trump’s provocative claims, including a debunked $200 billion subsidy assertion. Lockheed Martin, in a statement Saturday, reiterated its “strong partnership” with the RCAF, deferring procurement questions to governments. Yet, experts like UBC’s Michael Byers argue Canada should “cut its losses” on the 16 committed jets, citing U.S. control over the F-35’s software as a sovereignty risk—a view gaining traction online.
As of 2:40 PM PDT today, no cancellation has occurred, but the review could reshape Canada’s $19.8 billion acquisition plan (per a 2023 Parliamentary Budget Officer estimate, including infrastructure and munitions). With Trump’s administration escalating pressure—evidenced by Saturday’s Yemen strikes and gang deportations—the F-35 reassessment marks a pivotal moment for Canada’s defense and diplomatic posture.
