Key Points and Summary on Canada and F-35 – Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has confirmed his government’s review of its C$19 billion F-35 fighter jet deal will be completed by the end of the summer, a move fueled by rising tensions with the Trump administration.
-Speaking at the NATO summit, Carney hinted that European alternatives, such as the Saab Gripen or Eurofighter Typhoon, are being seriously considered.
-The F-35 program has long been controversial in Canada due to delays and cost overruns.
-While the first 16 jets have been paid for, the fate of the remaining 72 hangs in the balance, signaling a potential strategic shift in Canada’s defense procurement.
Canada and F-35: The Stealth Showdown?
Prime Minister Mark Carney says Canada’s review of its massive F-35 fighter jet order will be finished by the end of the summer. This news comes mere months after tensions with the U.S. triggered a broader rethink of how and where Ottawa spends its defence money.
Carney Confirms Budget Hike
Speaking from the NATO summit in The Hague on Wednesday, Carney confirmed that discussions are ongoing about whether to stick with the C$19 billion contract for 88 of Lockheed Martin’s F-35s: or look elsewhere.
“We’ve been speaking with European partners about purchasing fighter jets and submarines,” Carney told reporters, offering one of his clearest signals yet that alternatives to American-made weapons are seriously on the table.
The review was launched all the way back in March, shortly after trade relations with Washington soured. While Canada’s defence ministry has already committed funds for the first 16 F-35s, Carney’s comments suggest the rest of the deal isn’t necessarily a done deal.
A Divisive Policy
The F-35 program has long divided opinion in Canada, with its backers suggesting it would upgrade Ottawa’s ageing air fleet, aiding its ability to help its fellow NATO allies.
However others complain that this jet program has been hampered by long delays, surging costs, and patchy performance.
It is understandable that many Canadians are unsure whether F-35s are worth their price tags.
But this is not just about the jets themselves, but the state of Canada’s relations with its closest neighbor.
Carney’s review speaks to a bigger shift: Canada signalling that its defense strategy, long tethered to U.S. suppliers, might be overdue for diversification.
Canada and F-35 in 2 Words: Europe Awaits?
For a country that’s traditionally gone along with U.S. defence priorities, even raising the prospect of alternatives is a notable change in tone.
The Independent reports that the Saab JAS 39 Gripen, Eurofighter Typhoon, and Dassault Rafale are among European models that Canada could be considering.
But is this simply political posturing on the part of Carney, hoping to up his negotiating power with Washington?
In any case, Canada’s message is clear: it wants more control over where its spending goes, not to mention more options.
That could mean more business for European arms manufacturers—and fewer assumptions in Washington that Canadian defence contracts are a given.
Carney has now vowed to decide on the matter before Fall, and whichever side he lands on will have major consequences.
About the Author:
Georgia Gilholy is a journalist based in the United Kingdom who has been published in Newsweek, The Times of Israel, and the Spectator. Gilholy writes about international politics, culture, and education.
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