Canada could see more and more presence of F-35 fighter jets in its airspace regardless of whether Ottawa proceeds with its planned purchase of the aircraft, US Ambassador to Canada Pete Hoekstra said, as the Canadian government reviews its multibillion-dollar fighter jet deal.
Speaking to CBC during a recent interview at Luke Air Force Base in Arizona, Hoekstra said that if Canada does not proceed with its planned purchase of 88 F-35 fighter jets, the United States would have to buy more of the advanced aircraft for its own air force to protect the continent. Those jets, he said, would then be flown more frequently into Canadian airspace to counter threats approaching the United States.
In the interview, Hoekstra warned that abandoning the deal would have consequences for the North American Aerospace Defence Command (NORAD), the joint Canada-US military partnership responsible for detecting and intercepting airborne threats.
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“NORAD would have to be altered,” Hoekstra said. “We would have to get more F-35s in order to protect the continent.”
The comments come as Canada reviews its long-planned acquisition of F-35 stealth fighter jets. In March, the Canadian government indicated it was “reviewing” its $19 billion F-16 deal order for 88 aircraft after determining the program was more expensive than initially expected.
According to TWZ, Canada now has about 75 CF-18A/B+ aircraft in addition to 18 former F/A-18A/Bs from the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) and seven more as spares.
The review followed tariff threats from US President Donald Trump, which prompted Ottawa to reassess the terms of the agreement. Canada signed the deal with US defence contractor Lockheed Martin in 2023 and has already paid for the first 16 fighter jets. Those aircraft are scheduled to be delivered beginning this year, marking the initial phase of Canada’s broader fighter jet replacement program.
Saab, the Swedish aerospace and defence company that produces the JAS 39 Gripen E fighter, is one of the nations that Canadian officials reportedly looked to for fighter jets earlier this month, according to a CBC report. Saab has agreed to produce the aircraft in Canada, generating 12,600 jobs.
Speaking to CBC during a recent interview at Luke Air Force Base in Arizona, Hoekstra said that if Canada does not proceed with its planned purchase of 88 F-35 fighter jets, the United States would have to buy more of the advanced aircraft for its own air force to protect the continent. Those jets, he said, would then be flown more frequently into Canadian airspace to counter threats approaching the United States.
In the interview, Hoekstra warned that abandoning the deal would have consequences for the North American Aerospace Defence Command (NORAD), the joint Canada-US military partnership responsible for detecting and intercepting airborne threats.
Also Read: French Navy boards Russian shadow fleet tanker in the Mediterranean; UK, US also step up seizures despite Kremlin warnings
“NORAD would have to be altered,” Hoekstra said. “We would have to get more F-35s in order to protect the continent.”
The comments come as Canada reviews its long-planned acquisition of F-35 stealth fighter jets. In March, the Canadian government indicated it was “reviewing” its $19 billion F-16 deal order for 88 aircraft after determining the program was more expensive than initially expected.
According to TWZ, Canada now has about 75 CF-18A/B+ aircraft in addition to 18 former F/A-18A/Bs from the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) and seven more as spares.
The review followed tariff threats from US President Donald Trump, which prompted Ottawa to reassess the terms of the agreement. Canada signed the deal with US defence contractor Lockheed Martin in 2023 and has already paid for the first 16 fighter jets. Those aircraft are scheduled to be delivered beginning this year, marking the initial phase of Canada’s broader fighter jet replacement program.
Saab, the Swedish aerospace and defence company that produces the JAS 39 Gripen E fighter, is one of the nations that Canadian officials reportedly looked to for fighter jets earlier this month, according to a CBC report. Saab has agreed to produce the aircraft in Canada, generating 12,600 jobs.
