A Canadian defense panel has recommended that the country proceed with buying 88 F-35 warplanes as the unmatched fighter jet would best fulfill Canada’s obligations under international commitments such as the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) and NATO. The $14 billion acquisition would be the largest overhaul of the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) in decades and would enhance the defense capabilities of the northernmost nation in North America.
A military review board indicated that the government should continue with the purchase of the remaining 72 planes from U.S. manufacturer Lockheed Martin. The contract, finalized in 2023, has been delayed by Canadian government procurement changes, the pandemic and other issues. In June, an auditor’s report reported cost overruns, mostly the result of foreign exchange rates, inflation and skyrocketing munitions costs.
The military review began in March and didn’t offer a formal recommendation, “but it underscores the strategic and operational advantages of maintaining the full F-35 order,” according to AeroNews Journal, a website focusing on aviation issues. The final decision rests with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney.
The F-35s, the world’s most advanced fighter, will replace Canada’s aging CF-18 fleet. Panelists praised “the F-35’s status as the most advanced fighter jet of its kind, equipped with cutting-edge stealth capabilities, sophisticated radar systems, and superior networking features that enhance situational awareness. These attributes make it uniquely suited for Canada’s defense needs, particularly in fulfilling obligations under NORAD, which requires seamless interoperability with U.S. forces,” the website reported.
The first RCAF F-35 is due to arrive in Canada in 2028, according to the Canadian government, with the last of the warplanes scheduled to arrive in 2034.
Canada’s combat air fleet will require less money to maintain in the long run if the F-35As aren’t flying in mixed squadrons with other types of warplanes, the panel found. The purchase also will benefit logistics and training, they said. The new head of the RCAF, Lt. Gen. Jamie Speiser-Blanchet, said the main goal for Canada is to modernize its fleet. “We’re not just growing the same air force and replacing all of the equipment and airframes that we’ve had,” Speiser-Blanchet told Flight Global, an aviation news website. “We’re actually building a very modern fifth-generation air force, which will have technology that we’ve never seen before.”
Canada has announced plans to raise its defense spending to 5% of gross domestic product by 2035 while reaching the 2% threshold by the next budget year — an additional $46 billion. Among the outlays is $26.5 billion for its share of NORAD modernization upgrades. The Canadian Armed Forces also have increased spending on Arctic defense, including offshore patrol vessels, maritime helicopters, sensors and other equipment to defend the northern approaches to North America.