Canada’s Hidden Hand in the F-35 Program
The F-35 fighter jet is often framed as an American icon, but Canada’s involvement runs much deeper than headlines suggest. From Winnipeg to Lunenburg to Ottawa, Canadian companies contribute critical parts and know-how to the stealth jet, illustrating a highly integrated North American defense industry.
Costs, Commitments, and the Sovereignty Question
Canada has contracted to buy 16 F-35s with an option for up to 88. The price tag for the full fleet has risen to about $27.7 billion, a figure that has fueled debate about sovereignty, national security, and value. In a year of jittery trade rhetoric, many Canadians wonder whether a single American-made jet can align with national interests. Yet supporters argue the F-35 represents Canada’s strategic interoperability with allied forces and its role in NATO missions.
Economic Benefits Across the Border
Lockheed Martin contends that the F-35 program strengthens the allied defense industrial base, with Canada projected to gain roughly CAD 15.5 billion in economic benefits for its 88-aircraft program. The company notes that about 80 percent of the jet is manufactured elsewhere before final assembly in Texas, underscoring the cross-border supply chain that Canada has helped shape since the program’s inception in the 1990s.
Canadian Contributions in Practice
Canada’s participation isn’t limited to dollars on a spreadsheet. Parts such as the horizontal tail assembled in Winnipeg, engine sensors from Ottawa, and composite panels from Lunenburg, Nova Scotia, show a broad footprint. In total, more than 100 Canadian companies have contributed to the F-35 program, with as many as 2,000 Canadians employed through varying contracts. In Fort Worth, Texas, CBC News witnessed the global reach of this program as jets move through a production line that depends on a complex network of suppliers and partners.
Small-Town and High-Tech Collaboration
Canada’s industry map includes a Delta, British Columbia, supplier making a part of the foldable wing for carrier-capable variants, and Stelia in Lunenburg, which produces advanced composite panels for all three F-35 variants. Local experts describe a sense of pride in contributing to a jet used by NATO allies and partner nations, highlighting a broader national significance beyond any single aircraft order.
Industry Voices and Policy Debates
Industry insiders and former defense officials stress a pragmatic approach to the F-35 decision. While some argue for alternatives like Saab’s Gripen for cost reasons, others warn that switching fleets could complicate maintenance, training, and interoperability with allies. The long-term costs of aircraft life-cycle support—often the largest share of total costs—are central to the assessment. The Government has signaled a continuing interest in ensuring that Canada’s commitments deliver tangible benefits to domestic industry and workers.
Looking Ahead: If Canada Buys All 88
Even if the full order is not realized, the Canadian economy could still benefit from ongoing participation in the F-35 program. Lockheed Martin emphasizes that Canadian-based companies can bid for future contracts at best value, ensuring Canadian industry remains integrated with a critical global platform. The question remains: what does success look like for Canada—an immediate strategic capability, or a broader industrial program that supports jobs and technology leadership?
Conclusion: A National Interest that Spans the Border
Canada’s F-35 story is less about ownership of a single jet and more about a cross-border ecosystem that sustains high-skilled jobs, advanced manufacturing, and political credibility with allies. As Canada weighs its fleet decisions, the program’s Canadian footprint will likely keep shaping debates about sovereignty, economic security, and the future of Canada’s defense industry.
