Canada to acquire F-35 Lightning II

The Government of Canada has announced it will acquire the Lockheed Martin’s F-35 Lightning II aircraft as a result of the Future Fighter Capability Project competition which was launched in 2017. The contract is valued at US$14.2 billion. Canada is the last of the original eight F-35 Joint Strike Fighter international partners to sign a purchase contract for the aircraft which is already in service in several other countries, including Australia, the US, UK and Israel.

The Royal Canadian Air Force will receive 88 F-35As to replace its existing fleet of 98 CF-18s and F/A-18 Hornet fighters, which includes 18 ex-Australian aircraft. The purchase will include a sustainment solution tailored to Canada’s sovereign requirements and a comprehensive training program, said Lockheed Martin in a statement. The first will be delivered in 2026 with Full Operational Capability scheduled for 2032-34, and the fleet is expected to remain in service beyond 2060.

In common with other operators, the RCAF will initially base some aircraft at the F-35A Pilot Training Center in Luke Air Force Base, Arizona, to enable the training of RCAF pilots and instructors while the Canadian Department of National Defense (DND) completes the necessary infrastructure to support aircraft delivery in Canada.

In December 2021 the Canadian government shortlisted the F-35 and the Saab JAS-39 Gripen before announcing the final choice of the F-35 in March 2022. Initial contenders also included BAE Systems with the Typhoon, Dassault with the Rafale and Boeing with the F/A-18 Super Hornet. The Super Hornet was disbarred in 2021 in a clash over a bilateral trade dispute based on a complaint laid by Boeing against the Canadian government and Canadian fellow airliner manufacturer Bombardier.

“Canada is our friend and a close ally. Their decision to procure almost 90 jets underscores the value of the incredible F-35 Lightning II,” said U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Mike Schmidt, program executive officer, F-35 Joint Program Office.

The acquisition will include associated equipment, weapons, infrastructure and sustainment, including training and software support, said the Canadian government. It added that the project will leverage Canadian aerospace industry capabilities and support the growth of the country’s defence and aerospace industries: it has the potential to contri ute over C$425 (A$460) million annually to Canada’s economy and close to 3,300 jobs over 25 years.

The F-35 strengthens Canada’s operational capability with its allies as a cornerstone for interoperability with NORAD and NATO.

To date, there are more than 890 F-35s in service today, with more than 1,870 pilots and 13,500 maintainers trained on the aircraft.