Canada Has Scaled Back F-35 Acquisition Plans
The government is reviewing its commitment to the F-35A fleet amid concerns regarding program affordability.
Updated on Oct. 9, 2026 in Military
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Prime Minister Mark Carney has ordered a review of Canada's original agreement to acquire 88 Lockheed Martin F-35A fighter jets. The nation has now committed to purchasing 16 of the aircraft as it evaluates its future defense requirements.
Why it matters
The review follows concerns that the F-35 is unaffordable and arrives as diplomatic relations between Canada and the United States have deteriorated. The government is now exploring the possibility of maintaining a mixed fleet to meet its NORAD and NATO obligations.
The federal government has reduced its committed purchase to 16 F-35A jets out of the original 88-unit agreement. Officials are currently investigating whether these aircraft meet NORAD and NATO commitments given the identified affordability concerns.
The players
Mark Carney
Mark Carney is the Prime Minister of Canada who ordered the review of the fighter jet procurement agreement.
Donald Trump
Donald Trump is the President of the United States who threatened to bar Canadian manufacturer Bombardier from entering the U.S. market.
Lockheed Martin
Lockheed Martin is the American aerospace and defence contractor that produces the F-35A fighter jet.
Saab
Saab is a Swedish aerospace company that has proposed the Gripen E fighter as an alternative to a pure F-35 fleet.
Magellan Aerospace
Magellan Aerospace is a Canadian company that entered into a maintenance agreement with GE Aerospace to support engine overhauls.
The details
The procurement review evaluates operational requirements and industrial benefits, while Saab has proposed incorporating Gripen E fighters into the national fleet. Despite the acquisition review, a maintenance agreement signed on July 22, 2026, by GE Aerospace and Magellan Aerospace ensures engine overhauls can be performed in Mississauga.
Timeline
Canada finalized the original agreement for 88 F-35s in January 2023.
Prime Minister Carney ordered a review of the purchase on March 14, 2025.
GE and Magellan Aerospace signed an engine maintenance agreement on July 22, 2026.
President Trump threatened to bar Bombardier from the U.S. on September 7, 2026.
Political Context
The procurement review directly challenges the original acquisition strategy against the operational standards set by the NORAD and NATO commitments. Critics and opposition groups have expressed concern that scaling back the fleet could compromise national security readiness.
The potential shift in procurement policy may impact tax expenditures related to defense spending and the long-term industrial benefits for aerospace workers in Mississauga. Taxpayers should monitor how these shifts in government spending affect the national budget.
The takeaway
The move to pause and re-evaluate high-cost defense contracts highlights the tension between military modernization and fiscal constraints. Citizens should track how the government balances international security obligations with its stated concerns regarding affordability.
Further reading
For more information on national defense initiatives, visit the Military section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by 19FortyFive.
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