Canada risks “bloodying its nose” should it forgo F-35 buy, says Canadian ex-defence chief
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
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
You may also like
More from Air Warfare
-
![Turkey’s Eurofighter process going to plan despite German block, says minister]()
Turkey’s Eurofighter process going to plan despite German block, says minister
The comment, made by Turkish defence minister Yasar Guler, also noted that the 40-strong sale of Eurofighter Typhoons was primarily managed by the UK, not Germany.
-
![Airbus awaits USMC decision on Logistics Connector programme]()
Airbus awaits USMC decision on Logistics Connector programme
Airbus has been advancing development of its uncrewed MQ-72C Logistics Connector for the US Marine Corps, with a decision on the programme expected in early 2026.
-
![Belgium considers additional F-35 order to boost fleet]()
Belgium considers additional F-35 order to boost fleet
The statement from Prime Minister Bart De Wever during a parliamentary session follows the country’s Easter Agreement which would see it increase defence spending to 2% of GDP by the end of 2025.
-
![Northrop Grumman notes $477 million loss as it manages higher B-21 programme costs]()
Northrop Grumman notes $477 million loss as it manages higher B-21 programme costs
In its Q1 earnings call, the company disclosed a US$477 million pretax loss related to the programme as it works to scale up.
-
![India set to sign Rafale-M deal]()
India set to sign Rafale-M deal
New Delhi gears up to sign Navy Rafale deal as talks swirl around a potential assembly line in Nagpur.
-
![Lockheed Martin wants to “supercharge” F-35 after NGAD loss]()
Lockheed Martin wants to “supercharge” F-35 after NGAD loss
The investment in technologies developed for Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) aircraft bid will now be applied to its F-35 and F-22 aircraft, according to Lockheed Martin CEO James Taiclet.
