Key Points and Summary on Canada and F-35 – After a quarter-century of debate, Canada is in the final, critical phase of deciding the future of its F-35 fighter jet program.
-A comprehensive government review, expected by the end of summer 2025, will determine whether the nation proceeds with the full purchase of 88 stealth fighters.
-This decision is not just about acquiring a new aircraft; it’s a complex balancing act, weighing the F-35’s advanced capabilities against its immense cost, while considering Canada’s broader defense priorities and its role within NATO in an increasingly uncertain world.
Canada’s F-35 Question Is Coming to A Head
After a quarter of a century, Canada is now moving into the most critical phase in the process of acquiring new fighter jets – a process in which some major decisions have already been made, but in which the most crucial choices have yet to be made.
While the F-35 has garnered most of the headlines from these procurement files, other elements of the broader Canadian military modernization packages may also include alternative fighter aircraft purchases.
This article aims to provide a summary of the progress made so far, including the acquisition of some F-35s and investment in infrastructure, without making any predictions about the review or endorsing any particular aircraft, nor arguing against any of them.
Canada’s F-35 Saga Is Years in the Making
In March 2022, the Canadian government announced its intention to procure the F-35 for the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF).
This is a decision that has been in the making for many years, and follows a realization that there is a need for a high-tech military to both defend against regular threats, as well as those emerging from asymmetrical threats.
The initial investment is approximately $6.9 billion to purchase the first squadron of F-35s, which is part of a larger plan to replace the nearly 40-year-old fleet of CF-18 Hornets.
The CF-18s, which Canada has been flying since the 1980s, are gradually considered unfit for the battlefields. They had served a variety of missions, from combat operations in Afghanistan to air policing in Eastern Europe.
However, as the world becomes increasingly dangerous, it has become apparent that a more advanced and versatile plane is necessary.
Why the F-35 Matters
The highly advanced avionics, networked warfare capabilities, and stealth of the F-35 will ensure that Canada is positioned to operate with its allies effectively and to meet and overcome the threats we face.
In addition to the planned procurement of these next-generation fighter jets, the government is also advancing plans for infrastructure investments to sustain them.
A new building will be constructed at CFB Bagotville, featuring a maintenance hangar and mission support facilities necessary for F-35 operations. Construction of this base is reportedly scheduled to start in 2026, when the first plane is ready for delivery.
This infrastructure investment is crucial to ensure the RCAF has the necessary support systems to sustain and effectively utilize the F-35.
A Big Review Is Coming
However, the conclusion of the case is still a long way off, despite substantial investments having been made. A comprehensive review is scheduled for publication by the end of summer 2025 to assess the potential purchase of 88 F-35s in total.
This review will examine the requirements, costs, and the best course of action for Canada’s military in a world of increasingly complex geopolitics. No one knows yet what form this will take, and stakeholders will have to wait until late summer 2025 to find out what the future holds for Canada’s fighter jets purchase.
The review will also assess the compatibility of the aircraft with Canada’s existing military systems and infrastructure, as well as its training and maintenance readiness for effective use. It is essential for the full operational capability of the F-35 that it be able to work with existing Canadian Forces equipment.
This covers consideration of how the F-35 will complement other aircraft, ships at sea, and forces on the ground, as well as its integration into Canada’s overarching defence plan.
Furthermore, the government will need to ensure that any additional procurement does not compromise other key military capabilities. Canada’s national defense priorities need to be balanced against each other, and an investment in the F-35 should not be at the expense of other, arguably more urgent and pressing areas, including naval modernization, land forces, and cyber defense.
To effectively respond to various threats, the military must maintain a diverse array of assets. This broad approach to defence procurement is crucial if Canada is to retain the ability to respond to a variety of security threats.
Canada Needs to Think Bigger
The consequences of fighter procurement also go beyond the purchase of hardware. Investing in more advanced military capabilities is consistent with Canada’s commitment to strengthening its defensive posture in response to the evolving global threat environment.
The international security environment has become increasingly complex and uncertain, marked by escalating challenges in Eastern Europe, the Indo-Pacific, and beyond. As other states confront new types of war like cyber warfare and hybrid warfare, Canada must also make sure it is prepared to defend itself, not only now but against the threats of tomorrow.
With that in mind, the F-35 program enables Canada to reinforce its military capabilities and its position within international alliances, including NATO. Canada is in an unrivalled position to participate in joint operations and contribute to collective security through state-of-the-art technology and interoperability with allied forces, made possible by the F-35. This is even more crucial for Canada at a time when it is looking to assert and reassert its promise to global security and stability in an increasingly unpredictable world.
Beyond the Fighters…
Additionally, the 2025 review will consider the long-term sustainability of the F-35 program, including the cost of operations, maintenance, training, operational support, and evaluation support. It’s the government’s job to monitor these aspects to prevent budget overruns and ensure the long-term sustainability of the F-35 investment. This involves defining what success looks like, justifying the required resources to maintain subsequent business operations, and having the means to compare the results achieved.
Training and retraining are key elements in the acquisition process of fighter aircraft. Canada is about to fly the F-35, so paramount in terms of pilot and ground crews training is long-term now.
The F-35 is an advanced technology platform, and for the aircraft to be effectively and efficiently used it needs a professionally equipped workforce. Drawing on the experiences of other countries that have successfully implemented the F-35 will be invaluable for moving forward. And by investing in strong education programs, Canada can ensure its people are adequately trained to sustain and operate the F-35.
More Needs to Be Done…
While the review is underway, it will provide an opportunity for the government to interview stakeholders, including military commanders, defense industry representatives, and allies. This collaborative perspective will help ensure that a broad spectrum of inputs and expertise informs decisions made regarding the fighter aircraft acquisition process.
Working with industrial partners will also help to transfer knowledge, ideas, and innovation that are purported to augment Canada’s military power.
To sum it up, Canada already has solid examples available in its fighter jet acquisition work to date, and a critical benchmark is forthcoming. What happens next will determine the kind of military Canada has in the future and how responsive it is to new threats, from whom, and where they come.
As America navigates this challenging terrain, it is equally important to keep one’s eye on the acquisition ball while also ensuring the military is prepared for the new challenges of modern warfare.
With the review looming, the ultimate decision on whether to buy more F-35s remains far from clear. The results of this review, due in late summer 2025, will ultimately determine Canada’s approach to investing in its fighter aircraft.
During this time, the Government will both consider and consult to ensure that decisions are fully informed and consistent with our strategic assessment of the defence environment as it is today, and as it will be in the future.
Canada and F-35 Fighter: The Bottomline
To do that, Canada needs to understand that buying fighter jets is not just about acquiring new jets, but about getting the best jets to ensure that the military is equipped for the increasingly complex warfare that is becoming more prevalent.
The choices we make in the months ahead will have lasting consequences for generations to come, affecting Canada’s defense posture and its place in the world.
While the review is underway, we must engage with the challenges and opportunities that face us, so we approach this with a clear picture of the landscape ahead.
About the Author: Dr. Andrew Latham
Andrew Latham is a non-resident fellow at Defense Priorities and a professor of international relations and political theory at Macalester College in Saint Paul, MN. You can follow him on X: @aakatham.
Military Matters
Russia’s Su-57 Felon Stealth Fighter Is a Waste of Rubles
John Bradshaw
July 17, 2025 at 6:01 pm
First off I think Canada needs to purchase a new fighter ASAP. That said the F35 is far from the satisfactory weapon for the RCAF.In defending our nation we need an interceptor not a Beyond Visual Range (BVR) rocket launcher. When foreign aircraft are intercepted in our arctic airspace it is essential the target be identified first to ensure it is a military intusion. This is done by visual contact. The second choice Gripen E would be very capable in this regard. Additionally, we would be purchasing a fighter that can be built in Canada. The Gripen presents a very small radar target and would likely be within visual range before it is detected. It is also a multirole fighter and can be effectively used in NATO engagements. The F35 requires 10 hrs of maintenance for every hr. in the air while Gripen requires 2 hrs. This means we would have a far greater number of operational Gripens then F35’s. The F35 cannot go supersonic or fly in rain without damaging its stealth coating. It requires specialize hangers at great cost to build and maintaine. The Gripen E has a longer operational range and therefore less refuelling. There are many other arguements for selecting the Gripen, but I think we are struck with the 16 F35s already purchased and should buy the remaining 72 aircraft from Saab Sweden. There may even be a possible lend/ lease arrangement available for Grippen C/D models while we build E models in Halifax.