Canada presses ahead with the F-35 program amid ongoing review
Canada is proceeding with the F-35 fighter program “full steam ahead” until otherwise directed, a top Department of National Defence official told a House of Commons committee. Deputy Defence Minister Stefani Beck testified as Parliament reviews the latest auditor general’s report on rising costs for the stealth jet purchase.
The context is the 27.7 billion plan to acquire 88 F-35s from Lockheed Martin. Last spring, after Prime Minister Mark Carney took office, he ordered a review of the plan and suggested a late-summer decision on whether to continue with the full purchase or opt for a more limited version and explore alternatives. To date, no formal change has been announced.
Beck emphasized that the government’s direction remains to “continue with the contract… with the arrangements that we have in place until we hear otherwise.” She framed the stance as a commitment to ensure infrastructure, pilots, and training are in place for the arrival of the jets.
What Canada has already invested and what’s next
Canada has committed to buying at least 16 F-35s—four already paid for and eight funded through deposits on parts. The initial jets are expected to be delivered next year to a U.S. base where Canadian pilots and technicians will train. The government insists the decision on full-speed execution rests with elected leaders, with civil servants presenting the facts and options.
Two fleets and the cost question
As the program advances, the Royal Canadian Air Force faces the prospect of managing two fleets for a period. Lt.-Gen. Jamie Speiser-Blanchet acknowledged that the CF-18s will likely fly into the early 2030s, meaning a transitional period with both the current fighters and the new F-35s will be necessary. She noted that operating two fleets would inevitably raise costs and complicate training and maintenance requirements.
Officials defended the nearly 50 percent increase in project costs—from an initial 2019 estimate of $19 billion to about $27.7 billion in 2025—attributing much of the rise to U.S. program changes and security requirements. Hangars and secure facilities at Canadian bases have faced delays and higher security standards mandated by the Pentagon’s Joint Program Office, contributing to the overall rise. Currency fluctuations are another factor: since the aircraft are purchased in U.S. dollars, a one-cent shift in the exchange rate can add or subtract roughly $250 million from the total program cost.
Geopolitical considerations and interoperability
Canada’s adversaries, including China and Russia, operate advanced fifth-generation fighters, underscoring the urgency of modernization. Speiser-Blanchet argued that the faster Canada can transition, the better it will be able to counter emerging threats. In parallel, Canadian officials have faced political pressure regarding the mix of fleets, with U.S. officials and the U.S. ambassador to Canada publicly voicing concerns about maintaining interoperability within NORAD’s continental defense framework.
Duff Sullivan, a retired Canadian air force major-general, offered a counterpoint in an interview, arguing that interoperability hinges on tactics and procedures rather than the specific aircraft. He noted that the U.S. forces operate a range of fighters, including F-22s, and suggested that Canada is better served by aligning training and joint operations rather than fixating on a single platform.
The political timeline and decision point
There is no clear timeline for a prime ministerial decision on how to proceed. The debate remains a focal point in discussions about Canada’s defense posture, alliance commitments, and capability planning. The government has signaled that it will base any final decision on updated analyses and strategic considerations, but as of now the program remains on track, with preparations for the new fleet advancing while the review continues.
In the committee room, Beck reaffirmed the civil service role: provide the facts; leadership sets the direction. For supporters of the F-35, the message is that the project should not be allowed to stall while figures continue to be analyzed. For critics, the rising costs and the complexity of a mixed-fleet transition present a compelling case for pause and reassessment.
