The government has already committed to buying the first 16 aircraft for the Royal Canadian Air Force. The F-35s are intended to replace Canada’s aging fleet of CF-18 Hornets.
Prime Minister Mark Carney ordered a review of the remaining jets after the United States announced tariffs on Canadian goods early last year. The issue has become more politically sensitive as trade tensions between the two countries have escalated.
British Columbia Premier David Eby urged Ottawa to scrap the planned purchase and consider non-tariff measures in response to new U.S. levies. “When your friend kicks you in the back, one of the first rules is you don’t then go and buy $12 billion of fighter jets from that person,” Eby told reporters.
McGuinty pushed back against calls to tie the military procurement decision to growing anti-American sentiment. “Canada has a responsibility to obtain an appropriate fighter jet fleet for our own responsibilities, to acquit ourselves of our responsibilities domestically, continentally, and internationally,” he said.
The review is examining the potential industrial benefits for Canada and the aircraft’s interoperability with NATO and NORAD partners. Officials are also considering how the F-35 would integrate with Canada’s existing radar and missile-defense systems.
“There are a whole series of factors that play into this massive and important decision,” McGuinty said. “We will take the time we need to get this right.”
Gen. Jennie Carignan, Canada’s chief of the defense staff, said the review was proceeding separately from political pressure to cancel the purchase. “The F-35 is still under review so that’s for the government to make a decision in the next few months,” she said.
Source: CTV News.
