Overview

• Canada's review of the F-35 contract reflects concerns over U.S. reliability as a defense partner, exacerbated by trade disputes and political tensions.
• The Canadian government has legally committed to purchasing the first 16 jets but is evaluating whether to proceed with the full contract for 88 aircraft.
• Switching to alternative fighter jets, such as the Saab Gripen or Eurofighter Typhoon, would pose significant logistical and financial challenges due to shared U.S. components.
• The F-35 program, projected to cost $2 trillion through 2088, has faced criticism for reliability issues, high costs, and declining operational performance.
• Bombardier fears potential U.S. retaliation on its contracts if Canada cancels the deal, highlighting broader economic implications of the decision.