Canada says it’s reconsidering multibillion dollar F-35 buy as Trump ratchets up trade war
“To be clear, we are not cancelling the F-35 contract, but we need to do our homework given the changing environment
Amid escalating tensions with the United States, the Canadian military said while it is committed to the first 16 F-35As it’s on contract to buy from American defense giant Lockheed Martin, it is actively re-evaluating the rest of the multi-billion-dollar order.
“At this time, the contract to purchase the F-35 remains in place and Canada has made a legal commitment of funds for the first 16 aircraft. The Prime Minister has also asked the Minister of National Defence to work with CAF/DND [Canadian Armed Forces/Department of National Defence] to determine if the F-35 contract, as it stands, is the best investment for Canada, and if there are other options that could better meet Canada’s needs,” Laurent de Casanove, press secretary for Canadian defense minister Bill Blair, said in a statement to Breaking Defense today.