Canada Has Only 1 Choice When It Comes to the F-35 Stealth Fighter

Key Points and Summary – Canada will release its review of the $19B CAD plan—now pegged near $33.2B—to buy 88 F-35s, a saga spanning a 2010 pledge, 2015 backlash, and 2022 selection.

-Critics cite cost growth, delayed infrastructure at Cold Lake and Bagotville, pilot shortages, and dependence on U.S.-controlled software.

-Proponents argue the F-35’s stealth, sensors, and data-fusion are essential for modern warfare, Arctic sovereignty, and seamless NORAD/NATO interoperability.

-Alternatives could complicate allied ops and sustainment. Deliveries are slated to start in 2026, with full readiness slipping toward 2031.

Bottom line: despite risks, the F-35 fighter’s capabilities justify the price for the RCAF.

F-35: The Right Fighter for Canada?

In just a few days, Canada’s military is set to finish its review of the controversial F-35 order and present its findings and recommendations to the government.

The results of this review will likely influence whether Canada will proceed with the F-35 or look for another fighter to take its place. The Royal Canadian Air Force’s search for a new fighter has been fraught with controversy and complications.

Still, a new aircraft is massively overdue as Canada’s air fleet grows increasingly obsolete.

But is the F-35 really the best choice for Canada, or would another fighter suit their interests better?

Why the F-35 is so Controversial in Canada

First, a little history as to how Canada got here in the first place. The origins of Canada’s involvement with the F-35 date back to 2010, when Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s Conservative government announced plans to purchase 65 jets for $9 billion CAD. The announcement was met with immediate controversy, largely because it bypassed a competitive bidding process.

Critics argued that the government was committing to an expensive and untested aircraft without sufficient transparency. In 2015, Liberal leader Justin Trudeau campaigned on cancelling the deal, citing concerns about cost overruns and lack of accountability.

Despite the initial opposition, the Trudeau government eventually moved forward with a competitive procurement process known as the Future Fighter Capability Project (FFCP). After years of evaluation and delays, the government selected the F-35 in 2022.

The finalized deal in 2023 committed Canada to purchasing 88 jets in four tranches, with deliveries expected to begin in 2026 and continue through 2032. However, under Prime Minister Mark Carney, the deal is now under review due to rising costs, infrastructure challenges, and growing concerns about Canada’s strategic dependence on the United States.

Is the F-35 Really the Best Choice for the RCAF

The F-35 deal has a lot of critics among the Canadian government. Many are concerned that the deal is too expensive to afford.

The original cost estimate of $19 billion CAD has ballooned to over $33.2 billion, including infrastructure and operational readiness. This represents a nearly 75% increase, prompting questions about fiscal responsibility and whether the funds could be better spent on other public services or defense priorities.

Additionally, while the F-35 is an advanced and highly capable fighter jet, it requires specific infrastructure to maintain it.

Canada currently lacks the necessary facilities to host and operate the F-35s. Bases in Cold Lake, Alberta, and Bagotville, Quebec, are years behind schedule, with full operational readiness now pushed to 2031. Interim solutions, such as mobile hangars, will add further costs and logistical complexity.

Furthermore, there is the issue of finding and training pilots for these new jets. The Royal Canadian Air Force currently faces a shortage of trained pilots, which threatens the operational viability of the fleet. Without sufficient personnel, the jets could remain grounded, turning into expensive liabilities rather than strategic assets.

A U.S. F-35A Lightning II departs after conducting aerial refueling with a KC-10 Extender from the 908th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron, June 11, 2019 at an undisclosed location. The fifth generation fighter provides the pilot with comprehensive situational awareness in a sphere around the aircraft for missile and aircraft warnings, day and night vision, extended range detection and precision targeting against air and ground threats, granting the U.S. Air Force and its allies’ air superiority. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Keifer Bowes)

However, the biggest arguments against the F-35 are political. Many critics argue that relying on U.S. technology undermines Canada’s sovereignty. The F-35’s software and source codes are controlled by the Pentagon’s Joint Program Office, meaning Canada cannot independently upgrade or maintain the jets without U.S. approval.

This creates a strategic vulnerability, especially in light of unpredictable U.S. leadership and shifting foreign policy priorities. Former champions of the F-35, such as retired Lt. Gen. Yvan Blondin, have warned that U.S. support may not be guaranteed.

If Canada’s foreign policy diverges from Washington’s, the U.S. could restrict access to updates or downgrade capabilities, effectively crippling Canada’s fleet.

The Pros of the F-35

However, proponents of the F-35 argue that the benefits massively outweigh its cost. As a fifth-generation fighter, the F-35 provides stealth capabilities, advanced sensors, and real-time battlefield awareness.

It can share data with other F-35s and allied assets across land, sea, and air, creating a comprehensive combat picture that older aircraft simply cannot match. This technological superiority is seen as essential for modern warfare, especially as Canada’s current fleet of CF-18s nears the end of its operational life.

Another central argument in favor of the F-35 is its interoperability with allied forces, particularly the United States and NATO. Canada is a founding member of NORAD and a key NATO ally, and the F-35’s systems are designed to operate seamlessly with those of other member nations. This interoperability is crucial for joint missions and continental defense, ensuring that Canada can contribute effectively to multinational operations. As a member of NORAD, the U.S. and Canada are obliged by treaty to maintain interoperability between each other. If Canada were to acquire a non-U.S. fighter, the U.S. would have to acquire the same fighter to maintain treaty obligations, a step the U.S. would never take.

Canada Needs a New Fighter Jet: Pick the F-35

The F-35 is also a strategic asset for defending Canada’s Arctic region. With climate change opening new shipping routes and increasing global interest in the Arctic, Canada faces growing pressure to assert its sovereignty over the area.

Russia, in particular, has been expanding further into the Arctic region and exploiting its natural resources. The F-35’s range, stealth, and sensor capabilities make it well-suited for Arctic patrols, where long distances and harsh conditions pose significant challenges.

Ultimately, it is Canada’s choice in how it chooses to defend itself. The F-35 would be a much-needed asset to modernize an increasingly aging fleet, providing credible deterrence while still allowing for allied interoperability.

However, the deal is not without its downsides, as the F-35 is a costly piece of hardware that is heavily reliant on the U.S. for software upgrades. I think the F-35 is worth the price. The capabilities and the deterrence it provides make it well worth the investment.

About the Author: Isaac Seitz

Isaac Seitz, a Defense Columnist, graduated from Patrick Henry College’s Strategic Intelligence and National Security program. He has also studied Russian at Middlebury Language Schools and has worked as an intelligence Analyst in the private sector.

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