Ottawa, February 13 - The Canadian government has quietly initiated payments for long-lead components associated with 14 additional F-35 fighter jets, according to sources familiar with the matter. This development occurs amid an ongoing review of the country's broader fighter jet procurement strategy, originally aimed at acquiring up to 88 Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II aircraft to replace the aging CF-18 Hornet fleet. The payments, which secure critical parts requiring years of advance ordering, such as structural elements and avionics systems, are separate from the existing firm contract for an initial 16 F-35s. Those first aircraft are slated to begin delivery to the Royal Canadian Air Force by the end of 2026, marking a key milestone in modernizing Canada's air defense capabilities.
The decision to fund these components reflects practical considerations within the international F-35 production consortium, where maintaining a position in Lockheed Martin's long-term manufacturing queue is essential to avoid delays or displacement by other partner nations. Sources indicate that failing to make these timely expenditures could jeopardize Canada's delivery schedule for future jets, potentially complicating efforts to achieve full operational readiness. The Department of National Defence has emphasized that no final commitment has been made beyond the initial 16 aircraft, and the comprehensive review, prompted in part by evolving geopolitical and trade dynamics with the United States, continues without a publicly announced conclusion.
This move underscores the complexities of large-scale military procurement programs, particularly for advanced fifth-generation stealth fighters like the F-35, which demand coordinated industrial planning across multiple countries. Canada's participation in the Joint Strike Fighter program has long positioned it to benefit from shared development costs and technological integration with NATO allies. However, the quiet advancement on these additional jets highlights the tension between strategic imperatives for timely fleet renewal and ongoing assessments of fiscal, operational, and international factors influencing the full program scope.
As Canada navigates its fighter jet modernization amid broader defense priorities, including NORAD commitments and Arctic sovereignty, the payments signal continued momentum toward incorporating more F-35s into the Royal Canadian Air Force inventory. Deliveries from the initial tranche will support pilot training and operational transition, while any expansion remains subject to the review's outcome. The situation illustrates the intricate balance required in aligning defense needs with procurement realities in a constrained budgetary environment.