Despite an uncertain future for Canada’s acquisition of F-35 jets, the Canadian Armed Forces participated in a ceremony in the United States to mark a key production milestone: the start of final assembly of Canada’s first F-35A, with initial deliveries expected later in 2026.
Although Canadian PM Mark Carney put the acquisition of 88 F-35 fighters under review in March 2025 amid escalating tensions with the Trump administration, Ottawa has stated that it will induct the 16 jets it has already paid for, while reviewing the fate of the remaining 72.
The ceremony, slated for February 2, 2026, is evidence that Lockheed Martin’s Fort Worth production line is now assembling Canada’s first F-35.
Lt.-Gen. Jamie Speiser-Blanchet, the commander of the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF), was to sign the fuselage bulkhead for the first Canadian F-35 with a black pen.
Meanwhile, Canada’s Department of National Defence reportedly stated that the ceremony will “highlight another production milestone” for the aircraft, which is anticipated to be delivered to the RCAF later this year.
These ceremonies are arranged by US aerospace giant Lockheed Martin for every allied state that purchases F-35s, but Canada’s enthusiasm has caught everyone’s attention amid escalating tension between Ottawa and Washington.
You can read a detailed report about the US-Canada tensions and the status of Ottawa’s F-35 acquisition in a detailed EurAsian Times report.
The Canadian Armed Forces have already begun training their F-35 pilots and preparing infrastructure for the arrival of the 16 stealth fighters, while the acquisition review is ongoing.
According to MP Jeff Kibble, the Conservatives have been urging Ottawa to purchase all 88 F-35, arguing that they are “the only aircraft capable of carrying out the operations required.”
“Our air force is calling for this aircraft, and our allies are calling for this aircraft. What more does the prime minister need to see?” he asked in the House of Commons last week, as per CBC News.
Canada signed US$14.2 billion deal with Lockheed Martin in January 2023 to acquire 88 F-35 fighter jets in four tranches by 2032.
For now, the results of the review remain undisclosed, but many experts believe that Ottawa may proceed with the purchase despite sustained tensions with the Trump administration.
However, for the RCAF, which is already dominated by American-origin equipment—either directly purchased from the US or based on an American platform—the purchase of the F-35 would merely be the continuation of a historical reliance on the US for Canada’s offensive and defensive needs.
Canadian Air Force Flies American Aircraft
The Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) operates or has acquired several US-origin aircraft. These account for a significant portion of the RCAF fleet, especially fighters, transport aircraft, and helicopters.
The RCAF currently operates the CF-18, the RCAF’s variant of the American F/A-18 Hornet multi-role fighter jet.
The aircraft was originally purchased in the early 1980s as part of the New Fighter Aircraft (NFA) program, initiated to replace aging aircraft such as the CF-104 Starfighter.
The Canadian government ordered 138 aircraft, including 98 single-seat CF-18A variants and 40 two-seat CF-18B variants, with deliveries starting in 1982 and production running through 1988.
The CF-18 served extensively, including in the Gulf War of 1991, the NATO bombing campaign on Yugoslavia in 1999, Libya in 2011, and NORAD duties.
Between 2017 and 2019, Canada purchased 18 flyable F/A-18A/B Hornets and up to 7 non-flyable for parts from Australia, which were integrated to bolster the CF-18 squadrons until new fighters arrive. These Hornets were acquired by Australia from the United States.
In fact, Canada initiated the Future Fighter Capability Project (FFCP) to replace these aging jets. The Lockheed Martin F-35 and the Saab Gripen E emerged as the two finalists, although the French Dassault Rafale and the Eurofighter Typhoon were also in the running.
Canada ultimately opted for the American jet in 2022, followed by a deal for 88 F-35A Lightning II aircraft signed the following year. The mandate was clear: replacing an American-origin fighter jet with a more advanced American aircraft for interoperability.
Another RCAF aircraft with US origin is the CP-140 Aurora.
The Lockheed CP-140 Aurora is the Royal Canadian Air Force’s (RCAF) primary long-range maritime patrol aircraft (MPA). It serves as Canada’s main airborne platform for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR), particularly over maritime, littoral, and overland environments.
Notably, the aircraft uses the Lockheed P-3 Orion airframe, a proven US Navy MPA since the 1960s, albeit with a unique avionics suite. This hybrid design gave Canada a highly capable, customized platform tailored to its needs.
Interestingly, Canada is looking to replace this aging aircraft with the US P-8 Poseidon MPA. In November 2023, Canada finalized a government-to-government agreement with the US to acquire up to 16 P-8A Poseidon aircraft for the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF). It will procure 14 aircraft, with an option to buy two more.
The P-8A will replace Canada’s current maritime patrol aircraft, the CP-140 Aurora, which has been in service for more than 40 years. The first P-8 is expected to arrive in the country by 2026, and a full operational capability is anticipated for 2033.
The RCAF also uses two main tactical airlift aircraft.
One of them is the CC-130, which is essentially the American C-130 Hercules. Currently, 17 CC-130J Super Hercules remain fully operational and form the backbone of tactical air mobility, and are based at 8 Wing Trenton, Ontario. Meanwhile, the older CC-130H variants are being phased out, particularly from Search and Rescue (SAR) roles.
The other aircraft is the CC-177, which is essentially the C-17 Globemaster III, fully operational and forming the core of Canada’s strategic air mobility alongside the tactical CC-130J Hercules.
RCAF’s chopper fleet also has some links to the US.
The CH-147F Chinook, manufactured by US aerospace company Boeing, is the Canadian variant of the CH-47F Chinook.
It is the RCAF’s primary medium-to-heavy-lift tandem-rotor helicopter, used for the tactical transport of troops, equipment, vehicles, artillery, and supplies in domestic, deployed, and special-operations environments. Canada is also working on a mid-life upgrade to keep the rotorcraft operational into the future.
Several Canadian core trainers, such as the CT-156 Harvard II, CT-145 Beechcraft King Air, and CH-139 JetRanger, are designed and built by US companies. These are often leased or modified in Canada but rely on US supply chains for parts and upgrades.
Not just that, Canada is also buying the popular SeaGuardian UAV from the US. The deal for 11 MQ-9B SkyGuardian was signed in December 2023, worth US$1.87 billion. The drones are expected to be delivered by 2028.
Whether the F-35 purchase is completed or abandoned is a decision for the Canadian government, but one thing is clear: the RCAF is not forgoing its dependence on the United States any time soon.
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