Canada is considering sharply reducing its planned purchase of 88 F-35A Lightning II stealth fighters from Lockheed Martin, while exploring alternatives such as Saab’s Gripen E/F.
Industry Minister Mélanie Joly said Ottawa may opt for a smaller F-35 fleet and complement it with a second batch of Gripen fighters, potentially assembled in Canada. “The Prime Minister will make the decision. In the meantime, my goal is to secure greater benefits from the Lockheed Martin contract while continuing talks with Saab,” she told Radio-Canada.
The F-35 deal, worth about $27.7 billion, has been under review since March, soon after Prime Minister Mark Carney took office, amid trade tensions with Washington. According to Joly, the government is weighing two options: pushing Lockheed Martin for stronger economic offsets in return for the full order, or cutting the number of jets it buys.