F-35 review ‘understandable’ for many, but would it risk Canada’s security? – National

Prime Minister Mark Carney’s request for a review of the F-35 fighter jet contract — and opposition leaders’ calls to cancel the contract altogether — reflects the reality of souring relations and lost confidence in the U.S., some experts say, although others are worried about national security implications.

Carney has asked Defence Minister Bill Blair to look into whether the deal with Lockheed Martin and the U.S. government, which would see 88 new planes purchased at a cost of roughly US$85 million each, is in the best interests of Canada.

The review comes amid a growing trade war and U.S. President Donald Trump’s threats to annex Canada, which has sparked increasing retaliation from Canadian officials. There are also some concerns about having a Canadian fleet made up of U.S.-made planes while Trump upends decades-old alliances, including NATO.

“It’s a reaction that’s somewhat understandable given the amount of coercive behaviour coming out of the U.S. administration right now,” said David Perry, president of the Canadian Global Affairs Institute.

He said he’s seen indications of other U.S. allies “asking similar questions” and even starting to move away from sourcing military equipment from the U.S.

But defence policy experts say putting those concerns and Canadian patriotism ahead of collective defence will be unnecessarily harmful to Canada’s security interests, particularly as it faces pressure to shore up and modernize the military.

“Grow up,” said Richard Shimooka, a senior fellow at the Macdonald-Laurier Institute.

“This is cutting off our nose to spite our face.”

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Canada invests $19B for 88 F-35 fighter jets, procures Australian F-18s to supplement existing fleet

The new fleet is set to replace the Royal Canadian Air Force’s (RCAF) aging CF-18s, with the first four of the 88 planes expected to be delivered in 2026 and the final 18 in 2032.

Blair’s spokesperson told Global News the F-35 contract has not been cancelled, and Canada has legally committed to buying the first 16 aircraft.

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