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3w ago

Canada Reviews F-35 Fighter Jet Contract Amid Public and Strategic Pressures

Prime Minister Mark Carney's government is weighing alternatives to the $19 billion deal as public support for scrapping the contract grows and U.S.-Canada tensions escalate.

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Jacob Sackett, a dedicated crew chief assigned to the F-35A Demonstration Team, marshals an F-35A Lightning II after it lands for the Southernmost Airshow Spectacular at Naval Air Station Key West, Florida, on March 27
FILE - U.S. Air Force fighter aircraft F-35 performs aerobatic maneuvers on the third day of the Aero India 2025, a biennial event, at Yelahanka air base in Bengaluru, India, Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi, File)
The Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II in flight.
Photo by NATO via Flickr.

Overview

  • Prime Minister Mark Carney has initiated a review of Canada's $19 billion F-35 fighter jet contract, with a focus on financial, strategic, and operational implications.
  • A Nanos poll reveals 62% of Canadians support canceling the deal in favor of European alternatives, reflecting widespread public dissatisfaction with U.S. trade policies and operational control concerns.
  • The F-35 program is estimated to cost Canada $74 billion over its lifecycle, with critics arguing the funds could be redirected to address housing and climate priorities.
  • Defense experts highlight the F-35's advanced capabilities and integration with NORAD systems but warn of U.S. control over software and potential operational restrictions.
  • Lockheed Martin has offered additional job creation in Canada to secure the deal, while Sweden's Gripen E emerges as a viable alternative with potential for local production.