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Canada risks “bloodying its nose” should it forgo F-35 buy, says Canadian ex-defence chief

19th March 2025 - 16:58 GMT | by Lucy Powell in London

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Lockheed Martin won the contract to replace Canada’s ageing CF-18 fleet with 88 F-35A contracted for US$13.2 billion in 2023. (Photo: US DoD/Master Sgt Karen Tomasik)

Canada has stated its intention to reassess its acquisition of the F-35, amid the ongoing US-trade war, with Defence Minister Bill Blair saying it is “examining alternatives” with other aircraft manufacturers.

Canada risks “bloodying [its] nose” and thus its air forces’ capabilities, should it pull out of the US$13.2 billion F-35 deal with Lockheed Martin and the US, General (Ret'd) Tom Lawson, ex-chief of defence staff for Canada’s Armed Forces and member for Conference of Defence Associations Institute (CDA), told Shephard.

Amid increased tariffs and political tensions with the US, Canada is currently reviewing its F-35 aircraft purchase, with Defence Minister Bill Blair announcing that the country was considering “other options” to the F-35 and would talk with rival aircraft manufacturers.

Defence ministry press secretary Laurent de Casanove further added that

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