Summary and Key Points: Jack Buckby reports that Canada’s review of its 88-jet Lockheed Martin F-35A purchase, ordered by Mark Carney on March 14, 2025, remains open months later with no deadline, as Defense Minister David McGuinty says Ottawa will take as long as needed. Procurement secretary Stephen Fuhr, a former CF-18 pilot, called the F-35 unaffordable, while Saab pushes a Gripen E mixed fleet backed by a GE-Magellan F414 overhaul deal in Mississauga. Only 16 are committed.
Canada’s F-35 Crisis?
A CF-188 Hornet from the Canadian Air Task Force Lithuania flies over Lithuania on November 20, 2014 for the NATO Baltic Air Policing Block 36 during Operation REASSURANCE.
Photo: Air Task Force — OP Reassurance, DND
Many months after Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney ordered a review of the purchase of 88 F-35 fighter jets from the United States, Canada still hasn’t made a decision.
The review was launched in March 2025 and was originally expected to be wrapped up that same year.
But amid an ongoing trade dispute with the United States and shifting geopolitical circumstances, Canada is still reviewing the purchase and exploring a mixed fleet of fifth-generation and 4.5-generation aircraft.
Developments This Week
The ongoing review should perhaps come as no surprise.
On September 7, U.S. President Donald Trump escalated the trade conflict with Canada, threatening to bar Canadian aircraft manufacturer Bombardier from selling its jets in the United States unless it moved its manufacturing operations to the U.S.
Two days later, Bombardier announced it would continue U.S. deliveries, while Washington said it was preparing to take action against the firm.
At the same time, Stephen Fuhr, Canada’s secretary of state for defense procurement and the official leading the government’s Defence Investment Agency, is attracting more media attention for his long-standing criticism of the F-35 purchase.
Fuhr, a former Royal Canadian Air Force CF-18 pilot, previously said the aircraft was “unaffordable” and argued that its development program had failed to meet so many objectives that it was no longer a viable option.
CF-18 Fighter from Canada.
A new F-35A Lightning II fifth-generation fighter aircraft flies over the Alaska Canada Highway en route to its new home at the 354th Fighter Wing, Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, April 21, 2020. The F-35 represents a new model of international cooperation, ensuring U.S. and Coalition partner security well into the 21st Century. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Adam Keele)
CF-18 Fighter from Canada. Image Credit: Creative Commons.
But despite the ongoing complications and bitter dispute, Canada has one F-35 flying down in Texas and more are coming.
A Review Lasting 18 Months
Carney ordered Defense Minister Bill Blair on March 14, 2025, shortly after becoming prime minister, to review Canada’s planned acquisition of 88 Lockheed Martin F-35As.
The review was launched amid deteriorating relations with Washington, and Carney asked officials to determine whether the F-35 was Canada’s best option for its future fighter fleet.
The review began by examining Canada’s operational requirements, its commitments to NORAD and NATO, and the industrial and strategic benefits of the program. The review is also considering alternative fighter jets and the possibility of operating multiple fighter types
Although the review was expected to be completed in less than a year, no public deadline has been announced, and no indication suggests a decision is coming soon.
This month, Defense Minister David McGuinty said Ottawa was not acting on a timeline and would take as long as necessary to make the right decision, arguing that industrial benefits and Canada’s relationship with the United States needed to be considered.
CF-18 Canada Air Force.
And, given the constantly varying state of the relationship between the two countries, it should come as no surprise that the review has not yet concluded.
After all, even if the F-35 is the ideal fit for Canada in terms of pure capability, maintaining a long-term relationship with the United States through a close defense partnership may not be ideal for a government currently at odds with the U.S. president.
Saab Steps Up Gripen Offer
Throughout the process, Saab has sought to sweeten the deal and encourage Canada to establish a mixed fleet that includes its own Gripen E fighters. Most recently, Saab representatives have been pushing plans that would give Canada greater control over maintenance and support for their Gripen aircraft, should Canada purchase a fleet.
The Gripen uses General Electric’s American-made F414 engine, meaning that choosing the Swedish aircraft would not completely eliminate Canada’s dependence on U.S. defense technology.
A Hungarian Air Force JAS-39 Gripen is seen taxiing across the runway after completing a successful training scramble.
Hungary took command of NATO’s Baltic Air Policing mission in August 2022, deploying JAS-39 Gripen fighter jets to Siauliai Air Base in Lithuania for the third time since 2015. Air Policing is a long-running mission that operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. It includes quick reaction fighter aircraft are ready to take off within minutes to intercept any aircraft that may threaten Allied airspace.
JAS 39 Gripen E Fighter. Image Credit: Creative Commons.
The engine remains subject to U.S. export controls, but Saab is looking to reduce that vulnerability somewhat.
On July 22, GE Aerospace and Ontario-based Magellan Aerospace signed an agreement that would allow Canada to maintain and overhaul Gripen engines in Mississauga if it purchases the aircraft, rather than routinely sending them to the United States.
Fuhr’s office has also confirmed that Canadian procurement representatives are actively engaging with defense companies, including Saab, although it stressed that the news does not constitute a formal commitment to purchase the Gripen or to launch a new procurement process.
Canada’s First F-35s Are Still Coming
Whatever Carney ultimately decides, Canada’s F-35 program is moving forward regardless — because some jets have already been purchased.
The Department of National Defense says Canada has one new F-35 flying down in Texas. Canadian pilot training is also scheduled to begin there as the Royal Canadian Air Force prepares to transition away from its aging CF-18s.
The original agreement to acquire 88 F-35s was finalized by the Justin Trudeau government in January 2023, following a competition in which the Gripen E was beaten by the F-35, but the Carney government is so far only committed to following through on the purchase of the first 16 F-35s.
About the Author: Jack Buckby
Jack Buckby is a British researcher and analyst specializing in defense and national security, based in New York. His work focuses on military capability, procurement, and strategic competition, producing and editing analysis for policy and defense audiences. He brings extensive editorial experience, with a career output spanning over 1,000 articles at 19FortyFive, and has previously authored books and papers on extremism and deradicalization.