Overview
- Prime Minister Mark Carney, who spoke Tuesday, declined to set a timeline for ending the fighter review and did not dispute the NORAD chief’s recent comments.
- U.S. Air Force Gen. Gregory Guillot told senators on March 19 that fifth‑generation stealth jets are not needed to defend North America and cited the Boeing F‑15EX as sufficient for NORAD missions.
- Canada announced plans in January 2023 to buy 88 F‑35As, yet only 14 have been financed so far, with first deliveries expected in 2026 and long‑term costs projected near $70 billion.
- Ottawa has paid for early‑order parts to keep its place in the production line for more jets and is preparing training and integration, which could make a reversal more costly.
- The replacement effort has been political for years, from a 2010 sole‑source plan and a 2011 contempt finding to a 2017 competition that drew bids from Lockheed Martin, Boeing, and Saab.