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2d ago

Ottawa’s F-35 Fighter Decision Slips Again, Drawing U.S. Frustration

The U.S. ambassador publicly labeled the latest delay irritating.

The Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) is entering a period of massive recapitalization aimed at securing Arctic sovereignty and meeting renewed NATO commitments.
U.S. Air Force Maj. Kristin “BEO” Wolfe, F-35A Lightning II Demonstration Team commander, flies over Kennewick, Washington, during the Tri-Cities Water Follies Airshow Over the River, July 30, 2023. The F-35 Demonstration Team participated in the 2023 Tri-Cities Water Follies airshow and various other events in support of their mission to recruit, retain and inspire new and old generations of Airmen. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kaitlyn Ergish)

Overview

  • A fresh government review of the planned purchase of 88 F-35A jets has stretched past a promised summer timeline with no final decision announced.
  • The Auditor General reported procurement estimates rising to $27.7 billion, excluding at least $5.5 billion for infrastructure and weapons, while the Parliamentary Budget Officer pegs lifetime sustainment at $53.8 billion.
  • A 2026–2030 capability gap looms as CF-18 survivability declines, first F-35s are not expected in Canada until 2028, and key squadron facilities are already more than three years behind schedule.
  • Persistent shortages of qualified pilots and specialized technicians, along with slow project planning, threaten timely absorption of the new fleet and push full operational capability into the late 2030s.
  • Saab continues to lobby with its Gripen E as a cheaper alternative, while U.S. and RCAF arguments emphasize NORAD and NATO interoperability and Arctic deterrence advantages with the F-35.