Canada has quietly begun paying for 14 additional F-35 fighter jets beyond its initial order, effectively locking Ottawa into the controversial American aircraft despite claims that a “comprehensive review” remains ongoing—raising serious questions about sovereignty and whether this decision was driven more by U.S. pressure than Canadian national interest.
Story Snapshot
- Canada initiated payments for long-lead components of 14 more F-35s in early 2026, separate from the original 16-jet contract, despite an active government review of the 88-aircraft procurement.
- The payments—made to secure competitive production slots—signal a “point of no return” that undermines public debate and sidelines the Swedish Gripen alternative, which holds 72% Canadian public support.
- Prime Minister Mark Carney launched the F-35 review in March 2025 amid escalating U.S. trade threats under President Trump, including 25% tariffs and aggressive rhetoric about Canadian sovereignty.
- Defence experts warn the advance payments commit Canada industrially to the F-35 program, making it politically and economically harder to reverse course even as taxpayers face billions in costs.
Canada Locks In F-35 Payments While Review Remains Active
Canada began payments in early 2026 for structural assemblies and avionics components for 14 F-35 fighter jets beyond the initial 16 aircraft contracted in late 2022. The Department of National Defence declined to confirm the additional commitment, maintaining that the government’s comprehensive review of the 88-jet F-35 contract remains ongoing. Defence Minister David McGuinty stated in January 2026 that only 16 jets had been formally acquired, with the remainder under active consideration. However, the payments—revealed through CBC reporting and confirmed by industry sources—preserve Canada’s position in Lockheed Martin’s competitive global production queue, where delays can push deliveries back years.
U.S. Pressure and Trade Leverage Drive Defence Decisions
Prime Minister Mark Carney launched the F-35 review in March 2025 after President Trump imposed 25% tariffs on Canadian steel, aluminum, and automotive exports, while threatening Bombardier’s aircraft certifications and making inflammatory annexation comments. The review explicitly ties defence procurement to ongoing U.S.-Canada trade negotiations, suggesting Ottawa is using the F-35 decision as bargaining leverage rather than conducting a genuine evaluation of alternatives. This approach subordinates Canadian military planning to American economic coercion—a troubling erosion of sovereignty that prioritizes Washington’s demands over strategic independence. The timing reveals how deeply U.S. pressure influences Canadian defence policy, raising concerns about whether Ottawa can make decisions based purely on national security needs.
Gripen Alternative Ignored Despite Strong Public Support
Sweden’s Saab has aggressively promoted its Gripen fighter as a cost-effective alternative, offering Canadian assembly facilities that could create thousands of domestic aerospace jobs and support Ukraine aid through local production. An Ekos Politics poll shows 72% of Canadians favor the Gripen option, reflecting public preference for economic benefits and reduced dependence on U.S. defense contractors. Despite this overwhelming support, the advance F-35 payments effectively sideline the Gripen from serious consideration. The decision bypasses democratic input and ignores the economic advantages of diversifying Canada’s defence partnerships. Professor Justin Massie of UQAM noted that continued F-35 expenditures make it “harder to back down,” creating industrial momentum that overrides public preference and common-sense alternatives.
Defence Experts Warn of Irreversible Commitment
Industry analysts describe the long-lead payments as reaching a “point of no return” that commits Canada to the F-35 program regardless of the review’s official findings. By the end of 2025, Canada had already spent C$476 million on CF-18 replacement efforts beyond the initial 16-jet contract, with structural and avionics orders now securing slots for at least 30 total aircraft. The first 16 F-35s are scheduled for delivery starting late 2026, with the additional 14 extending the timeline through 2034. Defence experts suggest the review serves more as diplomatic theatre than substantive reconsideration, allowing Carney to claim due diligence while industrial commitments proceed. This approach raises fundamental questions about government transparency and whether Canadian taxpayers are being told the truth about defence spending decisions already made behind closed doors.
Canada’s F-35 procurement history traces back to 2006, when Ottawa joined the Joint Strike Fighter program with commitments exceeding $500 million through 2051. The initial 2010 plan for 65 F-35s collapsed under cost overrun concerns, leading to Justin Trudeau’s 2015 election promise to cancel the program. After years of delay extending the service life of aging CF-18 Hornets in operation since 1982, Canada relaunched the competition in 2022 and selected the F-35A for 88 jets. The pattern of political promises followed by reversals under U.S. pressure demonstrates how little control Canadian governments actually exercise over major defence procurements when Washington applies leverage through trade threats and NORAD interoperability requirements.
Sources:
Canada to Purchase 14 Additional F-35s Despite Ongoing Review – Canadian Defence Review
Canada F-35 Payment Review – The Defense Post
Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II Canadian procurement – Wikipedia
Canadian media gives American fighter jets more favourable coverage – The Maple
Why Canada Moving Forward Order F-35 Fighter Jets – Simple Flying
