Canada presses ahead with F-35 induction amid trade strains

The event, hosted by Lockheed Martin at its Fort Worth, Texas facility, brought together representatives from the Royal Canadian Air Force, the manufacturer and programme partners to recognise milestones ahead of the first delivery to Canada, expected within months. The ceremony came at a sensitive moment, with Ottawa reviewing elements of its defence procurement strategy against the backdrop of trade disputes and political disagreements with Washington.

Canada committed in 2023 to buy 88 F-35A aircraft to replace its ageing CF-18 Hornet fleet, ending years of debate over cost, capability and industrial benefits. The decision aligned the country more closely with NATO allies that have adopted the stealth fighter as their primary combat aircraft. The programme’s total cost, including sustainment and infrastructure, has been estimated by federal auditors at more than C$19 billion over its lifecycle, a figure that has continued to attract parliamentary and public attention.

Officials attending the Texas ceremony framed the visit as a routine step in a complex acquisition that has already passed several contractual and technical gates. They pointed to pilot training, simulator integration and base upgrades under way at Cold Lake in Alberta and Bagotville in Quebec as evidence that preparations are advancing on schedule. Defence planners argue that delaying or reversing course now would introduce operational risk, given the limited remaining service life of the CF-18s and the growing demands of continental and allied air defence.

Yet the timing of the event has sharpened debate in Ottawa. Trade tensions with the United States have flared over industrial policy, subsidies and market access in sectors ranging from clean technology to aerospace. While defence procurement has traditionally been insulated from trade disputes, critics question whether reliance on a single US-based supplier leaves Canada exposed at a moment of strained diplomacy. Some lawmakers have called for a broader review of offsets and industrial participation to ensure domestic firms capture sustained work beyond initial assembly and maintenance contracts.

The F-35 programme itself is multinational, with components produced across partner countries, and Lockheed Martin has long argued that Canadian companies stand to benefit through the global supply chain. More than 100 firms in Canada already contribute parts and services, according to programme data, though analysts note that participation depends on competitiveness rather than guaranteed offsets. That market-based model has been a point of contention in past procurement debates.

From a strategic perspective, defence officials stress that interoperability considerations weigh heavily in favour of staying the course. The F-35’s sensors, data-sharing capabilities and integration with allied command systems are viewed as critical as NORAD modernisation gathers pace and NATO members respond to a more contested security environment. Air force leaders have warned that prolonging the CF-18’s service would require costly upgrades while still leaving capability gaps against advanced threats.

The ceremony in Texas also served a practical purpose, allowing Canadian personnel to inspect aircraft destined for the first delivery batch and to engage directly with programme managers on timelines and support arrangements. The first jets are slated to arrive in the United States for Canadian pilot training before crossing the border to their home bases, a phased approach designed to ease the transition.

Political reactions have been mixed. Supporters of the programme say the visit demonstrates continuity and reliability in defence commitments, even when broader relations face strain. Skeptics counter that optics matter, arguing that high-profile participation in US-hosted events sits uneasily with a government signalling firmness on trade and industrial sovereignty.