Key Points and Summary – Radio-Canada’s leaked scoring suggests Ottawa’s fighter review is no longer about performance. In Canada’s 2021 competition, the F-35 reportedly beat Saab’s Gripen by a wide margin, especially in mission performance and long-term upgrade potential—metrics retired commanders tie to pilot survival in an Arctic contingency.
-Yet politics and industrial policy are pulling the other way, as tariffs and diplomatic friction fuel calls to reduce reliance on U.S. systems and demand more Canadian workshare.
-The core choice is stark: accept the capability winner, or restart procurement and absorb years of delay while the CF-18 fleet ages—and NORAD readiness slips in between slowly.
-Last month saw another turn in the saga over Canada’s choice to go through with its planned purchase of 88 F-35 stealth fighters, or equip the Royal Canadian Air Force instead with Saab JAS-39 Gripen fighters.
F-35 vs Gripen in Canada: The Reported Scores That Change the Argument
According to data released by Radio Canada, in the 2021 Future Fighter Capability Project, the Lockheed Martin F-35 dominated the JAS-39 Gripen by a wide margin in all capability categories. The documents show the F-35 scored 57.1 out of 60 points, while the Gripen E scored 19.8 points.
F-35A Dominated JAS-39 Gripen in Mission Performance
While both aircraft met Canada’s mandatory requirements, the F-35’s superior performance dominated all competition across the test’s operational criteria.
Representatives from each of the manufacturing giants claimed they had never seen the evaluation data before Radio Canada released the figures.
Most compelling was the mission performance metric; the F-35 scored a 97-to-22 percent advantage over the Gripen.
The gap widens further when considering the ability to continually upgrade an aircraft across its lifecycle: The F-35 scored 100 percent, compared with the Gripen’s 28.
Canada F-35 Fighter Display. Image Credit: Creative Commons.
What Does Ottawa Do Now?
It’s been clear that the past two Canadian administrations are looking for any excuse to move away from the U.S. and the F-35 program. U.S. President Donald Trump has ruffled more than a few feathers in Canada with tariffs and talk of making Canada the 51st state.
Canada initially opted for the F-35 in 2010. Justin Trudeau ran for Prime Minister in 2015, and the F-35 was a significant issue in the election. Trudeau, the leader of the Liberal Party, promised that an “open and transparent competition” to choose a more affordable aircraft would take place. In late October 2015, Trudeau won election by a large margin. A year later, his administration announced that Canada would purchase 18 Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornets as “interim” fighters, stating that flying CF-18 Hornets past their lifespan “would be imprudent and irresponsible”. But in early 2017, the government announced that it would not pursue the Super Hornet deal. Canadian pilots are still flying the CF-18.On June 7, 2017, the new Strong, Secure, Engaged defense policy reaffirmed Canada’s commitment to procure 88 new advanced fighter aircraft for the RCAF.
On Jan. 9, 2023, the Canadian government announced that it had finalized an agreement with the U.S. government and industrial partners to acquire F-35 fighter jets:
“Canada is confident that the F-35 represents the best fighter jet for our country at the best price for Canadians,” the government said.
The first eight aircraft would be delivered to the F-35A Pilot Training Center in Luke Air Force Base (AFB), Arizona, to enable the training of RCAF pilots while the Department of National Defence completes the necessary infrastructure to support aircraft delivery in Canada.
The first aircraft are expected to be delivered to Luke AFB in 2026 and arrive in Canada in 2028.
After the war of words between President Trump and Canadian government officials, on March 14 this year, Canadian Defense Minister Bill Blair announced that Ottawa was looking at potential alternatives to the F-35.
This would necessitate another decade of procurement processes that would set back the RCAF even further.
Now that Radio Canada just demonstrated there is no competition at all between the F-35 and the JAS-39 Gripen, what will the government decide?
Retired RCAF General Speaks Out
Former RCAF commander Lieutenant General Yvan Blondin emphasized the high stakes involved in choosing a frontline combat aircraft.
“If we send our sons and daughters into combat, it will be in these aircraft,” Blondin said in an interview with Montréal’s 98.5 FM.
SAAB JAS 39 Gripen Fighter. Image Credit: SAAB.
JAS 39 Gripen Saab. Image Credit: Creative Commons.
JAS 39 Gripen Artist Photo Creative Commons
“If you put them in an F-35 against Chinese or Russian jets in the Arctic, the aircraft scores 95 percent. If you put them in a Gripen, it’s 33 percent. That should be the first factor we consider when deciding which fighters to buy.”
The Department of National Defence compiled the data released by Radio Canada, but it remains non-committal despite the overwhelming evidence.
Asked to comment on the results of the competition, the DND said the review of the F-35 purchase is “ongoing.”
David Perry, president of the Canadian Global Affairs Institute, stated that “The capability assessment here says that there is a clear-cut winner, no contest, no ambiguity,” he said. “I’d expected that the F-35 was going to be a clear winner, but this is a winner by a mile.”
Justin Massie, a defense expert at the Université du Québec à Montréal, asked the question, “Do we want a less capable aircraft for Canada?”
The Israelis Showed The True Worth of the F-35
The capabilities and combat performance of the F-35 are impossible to ignore.
The F-35 is much more than a fighter; it’s an intelligence-gathering, stealth-enabled, data-fusing node designed to operate as part of a larger, digitally integrated force. That’s exactly what Canada needs to defend the Arctic, support NORAD, and carry out the kinds of coalition operations it claims to want to engage in.
Four F-35s can cover the same territory as several dozen fourth-generation fighters such as the Gripen or Rafale.
The F-35 Lightning II’s calling card is being a mobile sensor platform that can assess the effectiveness of an entire fleet—a whole military front—by sharing data and coordinating information to ensure the situational awareness of every warfighter.
Advanced sensor fusion automatically analyzes data from sensors embedded throughout the aircraft and merges it into relevant information for pilots. This gives F-35 pilots an integrated, intuitive view of their surroundings that greatly enhances survivability, effectiveness, and interoperability.
The F-35’s advanced AN/APG-81 Active Electronically Scanned Array radar is the most capable in the world. Long-range active and passive air-to-air and air-to-ground modes support a full range of missions.
During Operation Rising Lion, the F-35’s stealth capabilities were put to the test against Iran’s rebuilt layered air-defense network, which included Russian-made S-300 systems and Iran’s domestically produced Bavar-373.
The Israelis destroyed Iranian air defenses and achieved air dominance over the skies of Tehran, flying over the city in broad daylight.
Saab, however, continues to push for the Gripen. The company is currently in discussions with Canadian manufacturer Bombardier over a joint production agreement, something the Carney administration has signaled remains a core criterion in the review.
Industry Minister Mélanie Joly said last week the government is looking at switching to the Gripen for most of its fleet if Lockheed Martin does not improve the contract’s economic benefits to Canada.
“We believe that we didn’t get enough when it comes to the F-35,” Joly said to the news media on Parliament Hill.
“The industrial benefits are not enough. There needs to be more jobs created out of the F-35 contract. That’s clear to me and clear to this government,” she added.
Joly’s critics argue that it isn’t the minister of industry’s role to define Canada’s military needs. Defense policy isn’t about jobs.
The results of the competition will not change anyone’s mind, however. The proponents of the F-35 will argue that there is only one choice, while the F-35’s critics will say the competition was skewed in the F-35’s favor to begin with.
About the Author: Steve Balestrieri
Steve Balestrieri is a National Security Columnist. He served as a US Army Special Forces NCO and Warrant Officer. In addition to writing on defense, he covers the NFL for PatsFans.com and is a member of the Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA). His work was regularly featured in many military publications.
Chris F
November 28, 2025 at 11:29 pm
The F-35 is great when it flies…
Even the DOD complains about it not being suitable for on-demand use. Apparently 35-50% of the time it is not available.
And availability is 3-4 x most costly than the Gripen. The Gripen can land on frozen roads and be reloaded and fit to fly much more quickly 2-3x faster than the F-35… If the F-35 is available to fly…?
Also Trump is making so that Canada has reason to fear further constraints on trade, upgrades, and control of the fleet. Sweden is an OPEN AND HONEST BROKER.
Shame how Trump is destroying the credibility of the USA
Chris F
November 28, 2025 at 11:41 pm
Author of the article:By David Pugliese • Ottawa Citizen
Published Nov 14, 2025
Last updated 6 days ago
[Excerpt]
Canada is only committed to buy 16 F-35s. The Swedish company Saab has proposed that Canada purchase the Gripen fighter jet instead.
Canada is only committed to buy 16 F-35s. The Swedish company Saab has proposed that Canada purchase the Gripen fighter jet instead.
The federal government had planned to buy 88 U.S.-made F-35 fighter jets but Prime Minister Mark Carney ordered a review of that purchase in the wake of threats against Canadian sovereignty by U.S. President Donald Trump.
At this point, Canada is only committed to buy 16 F-35s and the government hasn’t released the results of its report, which was due by the end of the summer.
Meanwhile, the Swedish company Saab has proposed that Canada purchase the Gripen fighter jet instead.
Here’s a look at the issues surrounding the two aircraft.
Which jet has the best technology?
The F-35 boasts the latest in technology, with advanced avionics and stealth along with a sensor package that allows each plane to share data with multiple forces. Its supporters point out that it is the most advanced fighter jet in the world.
Gripen advocates note that the latest variant of that fighter aircraft has been enhanced with the most up-to-date systems and that it is designed to operate from dispersed austere locations with minimal ground crew and equipment support.
Buying the F-35 will allow Canada to operate seamlessly with American forces. But the U.S. has flagged new problems with the F-35 variant that Canada plans to buy.
Those problems centre around the F-35’s Block 4 modernization, according to a Sept. 3 report from a U.S. government watchdog agency. The Block 4 version was supposed to have improvements in sensors and weapon capabilities, but it is at least $6 billion over budget and five years behind schedule.
Tim Olheiser
November 29, 2025 at 2:33 am
So in the latest war games a SAP39 Gripen E shot down an F35. Was that a fluke? The Gripen layed low turned off passive radar and used data link to find and shoot down the F35. Then there is the latest report the cost of the 16 F35 Canada wishes to purchase went up 50 percent due to tariffs and our Canadiandollar compared to the US. Putting in double Canad can afford the other 62 aircraft. The “death spiral” of procurement is the real killer of this deal.
Elias Moreau
November 29, 2025 at 6:29 am
The released metrics seem to support the claim that the “competition” heavily favoured the F-35. Two European manufacturers even withdrew without submitting offers citing F-35 bias.
The wind must be shifting against Lockheed Martin if these figures are being made public. Yet they’re a double-edged sword: meant to showcase the F-35’s superiority, but so exaggerated they end up looking like propaganda.
What stands out most is that, despite the Gripen’s supposedly disastrous performance, the study still deemed it “acceptable.” How they reached that conclusion is anyone’s guess — the numbers make the Gripen look barely worthy of sticking on a refrigerator. Unfortunately, pundits are already gleefully parroting these figures uncritically.
Norway saw similar tactics during its own fighter selection. Public messaging was polite, but behind the scenes the U.S. made it clear that choosing anything other than the F-35 would strain relations. Wikileaks later revealed how the Americans worked to counter what they called myths — such as the F-35’s cost and the concern that its industrial participation plan would not adequately compensate Norwegian industry. And this was back when the U.S. was still considered a dependable ally.
I wouldn’t envy the Canadian government right now. The American pressure campaign is no doubt escalating, and this time the threats are public. Imagine what’s being said privately.
Norway eventually learned that the promised industrial benefits of the F-35 were far thinner than advertised, and recently the excessive costs associated with the program have come to light.
There were valid reasons in 2021 for Canada to pick the F-35, but these numbers aren’t one of them — they’re an excuse.
Everyone knew Canada would choose the F-35; the only question was the price. The real deciding factors were always Canada–U.S. relations, shared history, geography, and the world’s longest undefended border.
But whatever relevance those figures once had, they have none now. The relationship is damaged, making arguments in the F-35’s favour ring hollow.
Given today’s political climate, any European fighter would suit Canada just fine. I’m sure there are legitimate reasons to reject Saab’s offer of technology transfer and domestic fighter production, and I’m still searching for them high and low.
And if stealth is truly the priority, I hear South Korea has a stealth fighter program.
F. Robertson
November 29, 2025 at 6:53 am
Interesting article, but let’s be honest. You have an obvious interest in undermining Canadian sovereignty and security. The bias shows quite clearly. You have forgotten to discuss the f35’s dismal readiness record, it’s ridiculously high cost per flight hour, the fact that the f35 would leave Canada defenceless against the whims of your less than stable president, and the fact that the Saab integrates nicely with Canada’s NATO allies. You barely mention the significant defense industry benefits for Canada if it buys Saab, and ignore that Canada developing its own defense industry decreases the amount of foreign money flowing into the US coffers.Your own government released data in Feb, Jan, and Oct showing readiness rates in the 55% area, with software flaws that’s have not been fixed yet….in other words, of the 88 f35’s Canada looks to purchase, roughly only 48 planes would be airworthy at any given time…..the Gripens readiness rate has shown itself to be over 80% worldwide. This is a significant difference, the better plane obviously being the one that does not act like it’s a bus 50% of the time. Add to this the Gripens ability to operate out of remote airfields with minimal infrastructure (you know, like Canada’s north) and you have a serious difference in operations. It is highly doubtful that the f35, which acts like a hanger queen in the best possible situations, surrounded by infrastructure and huge amounts of technical support, would even maintain that poor readiness rate in Canada’s North….so in summary, the f35 costs more, costs more to operate, costs more to fix, flies less, increases Canada dependence on the US, decreases Canadian sovereignty, makes sure Canada does not develop its own defense capabilities, brings fewer economic benefits. When all the outcomes are tabled, the f35 sounds like another repeat of our most recent submarine purchase….a waste of time and money.
John Shular
November 29, 2025 at 7:29 am
How many F-35 have crashed? Specifically in Alaska? 1, is too many. How many F-35 have been shot down? Again, 1 is too many. Why does Canada want a plane that we can’t build or upgrade to suit our needs?
John Shular
November 29, 2025 at 7:36 am
Why hasn’t Canada received any F-35s? Apparently there’s been delays and cost overruns. Why hasn’t any Canadian pilots been trained? Why should Canada have to have our first F-35s sent to America?
John Shular
November 29, 2025 at 7:40 am
Why did Amerika sell the F-35 to Saudi Arabia?
Some guy
November 29, 2025 at 7:42 am
The criteria is flawed.
So many promises and future upgrading is turning out to be non-existent.
Totally one sided slanting towards the f35 from magastan.
Avoid like cancer since they’re showing as much aggression towards Canada as Russia does and Canada isn’t bothering with the su57 because of that.
Daniel Bouchard
November 29, 2025 at 7:47 am
I like many people who have read this are questioning how those numbers were compiled. This article has NOT brought to attention the fact that several people who are involved in the evaluation are on or will be in the future on the payroll for Lockheed Martin. The F35 has been cancelled twice before this latest version of procurement. It didn’t work for us then yet now suddenly it is the best and only choice for Canada is suspect to say the least.The Americans have already stated that the overseas contacts for the F35 will NOT be renewed and wll be done in the United States. The process has been very one sided from the start. The Swedish offer is plainly the best way to go for Canada. Mark Carney is going to be remembered as the P.M who rebuilt the Canadian military or he will be remembered for keeping Canada subservient to the United States the same way Diefenbaker did in the late 1950s. I’m hoping that he will make the right choice for Canada and our future. One that doesn’t have to be answerable to the United States and allows us to achieve the greatness we deserve. We can support a fighter fleet with more than one type of aircraft in it like we have in the past Many countries who are smaller than we are do and to say that we can’t is not being honest with Canadians. We have paid for 16 F35s. We can make the deal with Sweden for the rest of the fleet. A deal that is better than any deal that the United States has EVER offered to Canada. One of real partnership and respect from one Arctic nation with common interests to another.
John Shular
November 29, 2025 at 7:48 am
What’s the issue of Canada having a mixed fleet? How many countries now are flying the F-35 and other planes? They’re not having issues.
CRAIG SPANZA
November 29, 2025 at 8:32 am
The f35 gets 0% in it’s primary purpose of defending a country from its aggressive neighbor.
DAVID SMITH
November 29, 2025 at 8:49 am
There are too many reasons for selecting the Gripen to list here. But it is the many reasons against the F35 Lightning II that should seal the deal for the SAAB Gripen! The “competition ” between the two aircraft was heavily skewed in favour of the F35 which does not deserve the score it attained.
The most serious strike against the F35 is the fact that the software or flight management system as a whole will continue to be the sole property of the US Government and therefore they can, on a whim at any time type in a few lines of code, hit enter, and turn 10’s of billions of dollars of aircraft into large useless paperweights! This is NOT an exaggeration!
Let’s say for instance that the US Govt, on direction of the president decides it is time to act on his 51st state rhetoric, or maybe take control of the Canadian Arctic Ocean and all Canadian land within the area, or one of a dozen scenarios where Canada is put in direct military condlict with the Americans. Flicking a switch is all that would be required to literally ground the Royal Canadian Air Force and take it out of the fight! This would NOT be the case with the Gripen where not only would it be built in Canada by 10,000+++ Canadians, but Canada would be directly involved in the developement of the aircraft and its operating software and we will be owners of it, so there will be no 3rd party flipping the off switch on the Gripen! The 1st Gripen will also be deliverable by 2028 if the deal was signed today. The 1st F35 won’t be delivered until 2032 IF there are no further delays, which is highly unlikely considering the history of the troubled F35.
Next, the F35 has enormous Cost Overruns, serious mechanical and design issues that have set the F35 program back by nearly a decade and is estimated to be in the billions of extra cost to the buyers. There have been several incidents involving the F35’s arctic deployment where aircraft have experienced serious failures directly related to cold weather operations. At least 1 aircraft was lost! The Gripen was born in the Arctic! Enough said.
Mike Emmerson
November 29, 2025 at 9:24 am
Gripen period! F35 is no good parked on the tarmac!! And WHY would we even entertain buying the F35 after Trump threatens our sovereignty!! If he decided to take us over our fighter fleet would be useless!! Just what he wants! This is bullshit!
Scott
November 29, 2025 at 10:00 am
This is a US propiganda. The Gripen is more suitable for our climate.whith the 51st comments made by taco for Canadian security we must abandon US military equipment due to tracking and kill switch’s.
Arthur A Schultz
November 29, 2025 at 10:04 am
Baloney, F-35. Over priced. Over rated
Ryan Langkamer
November 29, 2025 at 4:50 pm
Never thought the F-35 was a good choice, due to the long timeline and constant software flaws and how good was the stealth factor ?!
Plus, it’s five years behind schedule and we’ve been paying into this programme for 20 years !
Where’s our planes ?
Jason Doucet
November 29, 2025 at 5:36 pm
Where’s the 2025 report, not even same planes, and who cares Gripen is 60% cheaper that alone should be reason enough.
Kurtis
November 29, 2025 at 6:57 pm
Sweden is Also giving Canada the option to produce and upgrade the SAAB for years to come including 10,000 jobs due to manufacturing in Canada. Why would Canada side with the F35? If anything it’s a security threat due to the possibility of a kill switch and the recent threats on sovereignty.
Norm
November 29, 2025 at 9:01 pm
This article is obviously written by someone with an allegiance to Lockheed. In all other reports I’ve read the Gripen is an excellent option for what Canada needs, especially for the northern and arctic part of the coin where the F 35 fails in comparison to the Gripen.
We don’t attack countries like the US does and the Gripen would be made entirely in Canada and we would get all intellectual rights
With F 35 we are at the mercy of Diaper Donald and circus down south as far as upgrades and parts g.
For me, it’s the Gripen all the way!!
Rob Ridley
November 29, 2025 at 9:28 pm
The tests published by the CBC are years old and the tests were crafted before we knew that there was no honorable or reliable supplier of the F35.
RESST
November 29, 2025 at 10:10 pm
The debate is far from over. I’m not sure when the quote attributed to Lt. Gen. (Retired) Blondin was made, but he has recently been advocating for a mixed fleet.
From the information made public by the CBC this week, it would appear that the competition criteria were deliberately selected to give the edge to the F35. Since the competition in 2021, Sweden has become a member of NATO, and the Gripen is fully integrated into NATO operations. Its adaptability and flexibility have been proven. Currently, the Gripen E is being tested with the Helsing Centaur AI pilot. Meanwhile the F35 Block 4 is more that five years behind schedule, and is experiencing massive cost overruns.
Other commenters have made very salient observations which I won’t repeat, except to say that the bias and lack of objectivity in this piece is obvious.
Paul McLean
November 30, 2025 at 12:24 am
There is no contest between the F35 and the Gripen. Given the de-generation of democracy and the Rule of Law in the USA and Trump and his MAGA leech Republicans total criminality and betrayal of all Americans and Allies. Canada would have to be deaf, stupid and blind to have any relationship with these scumbags. Canada get the Gripens then we’ll soon see how many F-35s get shot down!!!
Adam
November 30, 2025 at 12:53 am
Not only am I in favour of the Gripen but I would sooner buy a fleet of various aircraft to cover the various roles, if that is what it takes to avoid buying the F35s. Gripen, Rafale, Typhoon,etc, etc? Let’s do it! Good enough for our allies. Good enough for us, thank you very much!
Daniel
November 30, 2025 at 1:08 am
A few notes:
1. The Gripen has advanced data links, that’s not unique to the F35.
2. Sensor fusion isn’t a unique feature either, the Gripen E has that as well.
3. SuperCruise (flying at supersonic speeds without afterburner) is another feature of the Gripen E.
4. While the Gripens Radar is smaller it is still the same type and due to having it mounted on a tilting base it may outperform the F35 on off axis tracking. (I.e. not head on)
5. Upgrades, the Gripens digital systems are modular and allows rapid updates for individual systems instead of for the whole aircraft. This makes it much easier and cheaper to add a new weapon system, or upgrade the radar, etc.
Saab has good reasons for calling the Gripen E a 4.5 gen fighter. The one thing that demotes it from 5th gen is stealth.
The 2 major advantages of the F35 are it’s size (a bigger plane means longer range, heavier weapon loads, and more space/power for internal systems.), and it’s stealth.
Both of these increases operational costs and complexity.
In a defensive scenario those advantages fade quite a bit.
Adam Seeker
November 30, 2025 at 12:36 pm
I really hope Canada doesn’t choose the F35. And US lets Canada stand on their own.
I think reality will prevail in this.
Pragmatic Thinker
November 30, 2025 at 3:45 pm
Typhoon and Rafale left for reasons that are the result of the competition favoring the F-35. Simply they fixed it so the F-35 would win. Now in 2025 can the marks for upgradability be better than 0 for the F-35 considering what is happening with the Block 4 that Canada is to receive. This week the UK had two Gripen D operating with Typhoon on Viking Flame comments: Two Saab JAS 39 Gripen from FMV Test & Evaluation Luft formed the core of the trials. Flying from RAF Base Coningsby, they served as flexible platforms for the integration and evaluation of the latest countermeasure technologies. The Gripen’s high level of adaptability makes it the ideal test platform, explains Martin Palmér Bouvin, Campaign Manager at FMV T&E Luft: “Gripen is unique in this context – no other aircraft can be equipped with new functions and systems so quickly.”
William Finbarr Wilson
November 30, 2025 at 4:17 pm
An F-35 was nearly shot down by the Houthis and they aren’t even a real country…
Jon
November 30, 2025 at 9:53 pm
Canada needs a mixed fleet
Stephen Zepf
November 30, 2025 at 10:58 pm
This was something US Today would write – not informative, not helpful, lots of this and that and he said, they say impressions. I’ve read better assessments and reviewed deployment factors and operational determinants. Gripen is worth it. No reason why the F-35 and Gripen can’t be part of the Canadian air defense.
Enrique Evangelista
November 30, 2025 at 11:31 pm
Since Canadian politicians are being political about purchasing the F 35 and some of your Canadiens prefer the Gripen over the combat proven 5th generation stealth fighter then by ALL means take the cheaper non-stealth fighter to defend against Chinese and Russian 5th generation stealth. Are the disadvantages really worth Canadian pilot’s lives?
Michael Coleman
December 1, 2025 at 10:00 am
Who knows we will replace Trump. A mixed fleet is the way to go. After all Trump has no problem screwing Ukanian.
Graham Webb
December 1, 2025 at 11:49 am
Saab would give Canada complete control over its fighter jets. Lockheed-Martin would make Canada subservient to the US for control of the F-35’s.
That alone is reason to chose the Gripen. I would no longer trust the US to respect Canada’s sovereignty. If Canada chose to use its F-35’s without US approval, the US might very predictably ground the entire Canadian fleet.
Canada should not spend another nickel on F-35’s.
Rod Clarke
December 1, 2025 at 7:22 pm
Obviously written by someone deeply embedded in the US defenceman industry, or hoping soon to be so. I’m more worried about subterfuge by the US to undermine the effectiveness of the F35 any time it wants to blackmail us. Much less by direct attack by the Russians who woukd only do so with US comnivsnce anyway. Let’s learn from the example of the Ukraine and know who our real friends are. Not the USA in any case.
Bob M
December 1, 2025 at 8:27 pm
You know Steve, you keep writing about all the reasons Canada needs the F35 & how tragic it would be if we don’t get it… what maybe two articles a week… Somehow you remind me of just another Lockhead Martin Influencer….hope they are paying you well.
Nicolas Hajjar
December 2, 2025 at 8:25 am
Defence policy is not about jobs…unless it’s US jobs….
Pathetic, instead of complaining about Canada not wanting to buy a product from a country that positions itself as a rival, simply because its a “superior” (and mostly overkill for our needs) product, maybe the author should focus on why it is this debate suddenly makes sense…
The costs have always been an issue, but we had moved past that hurdle, the cost nly hurdle now is Trump and his vile policy towards us.
We do not need to have a fleet solely composed of F35s, and the gripen is a solid combat aircraft for anything hut tip of the spear operations, which we do not really meed to do…unless we are gonna fight the US.
We already have a first tranche paid for, we should get these, and thats it…enough milking Canadian tax dollars as support to US industry without at least even treatment.
Kevin
December 2, 2025 at 5:21 pm
Whit the dead switch and 51 stade canadian dont wrnt f35
Peter Gehbauer
December 3, 2025 at 1:02 am
The author has no qualifications to write on this topic, akin to Hegseth and Fox “News”.
Reminds me of required reading years ago at U of T: “How to Lie with Statistics”. This article/author fail the CRAAP test (currency, relevance, authority, accuracy, purpose.) Smell the bias favoring F35.
Fernando Harlequin
December 3, 2025 at 2:01 pm
Did they run a F-35 to Gripen head-to-head test where F-35 is remotely disabled because of the whims of the US president?