Aviation News – Ottawa has initiated expenditures for 14 additional F-35 fighter jets, moving forward with procurement despite the Carney government’s public stance that the program is currently on “pause.” This strategic financial commitment ensures Canada maintains its standing in the international production queue amidst mounting trade and diplomatic tensions with the United States.
The decision to fund these 14 new aircraft follows an initial order of 16 F-35s finalized before the recent change in the U.S. administration. Reports indicate that the federal government is specifically investing in “long-lead items”—essential components such as engines and specialized sensors that require years of advance manufacturing. By securing these parts now, Canada prevents other nations from taking its allotted slots in the delivery timeline, a move viewed by defense analysts as a safeguard for the Royal Canadian Air Force’s long-term modernization.
On a technical level, these long-lead items represent the foundational architecture of the fifth-generation stealth fighter, which relies on complex global supply chains for its advanced avionics and airframe materials. Securing these components is a standard but critical operational necessity to avoid multi-year delays in fleet readiness. For Canada, these expenditures provide the flexibility to continue the transition from the aging CF-18 fleet, even as political leaders re-evaluate the scale of the total 88-aircraft commitment.
“Each week, Trump adds another reason not to move forward with the F-35 and he is the one creating a negative spiral,” noted Justin Massie, a defense specialist and professor at the Université du Québec à Montréal, highlighting the pressure the current administration faces. “The longer the decision is delayed, the harder it will be to back down.”
Looking ahead, this move suggests that Canada may be leaning toward a hybrid fleet or a “point of no return” for the stealth program, regardless of the ongoing review. As geopolitical pressures mount, the government must soon decide whether to fulfill the original 88-jet order or incorporate European alternatives like the Saab Gripen.
The quiet advancement of the F-35 program underscores the delicate balance the Carney administration must strike between national sovereignty and its NORAD commitments. While the official review remains underway, the financial reality of defense procurement is increasingly binding Canada to its Lockheed Martin partnership. Ultimately, these payments signify a pragmatic effort to protect Canadian interests in an increasingly volatile North American defense landscape.
