The federal industry minister is urging U.S.-based Lockheed Martin to enhance economic benefits in Canada for the planned purchase of 88 F-35 fighter jets. Industry Minister Mélanie Joly mentioned in an interview on Radio-Canada’s Les coulisses du pouvoir that Ottawa might consider a smaller fleet of F-35s along with a second fleet of Gripen-E fighter jets from Saab in Sweden, which has proposed assembling the jets in Canada.
Prime Minister Mark Carney is still deliberating on the $27.7-billion fighter jet contract as Joly made these statements.
Joly outlined two potential paths for the F-35 evaluation initiated in March after Carney assumed office amid U.S.-Canada tariff disputes.
She indicated that Ottawa could obtain more economic advantages from Lockheed Martin to uphold the full contract.
If not, the government might opt for a reduced number of F-35s. Canada is obligated to buy a minimum of 16 of the 88 planned Lockheed Martin jets.
“The final decision lies with the prime minister. However, it is my objective to extract more value from the F-35 contract with Lockheed Martin and continue talks with Saab,” Joly remarked.
While having a mixed fleet could pose challenges for the Canadian Armed Forces, Joly expressed confidence, particularly if additional benefits are forthcoming.
“All G7 nations operate mixed fleets,” she pointed out.
Joly outlined three priorities as Canada readies to boost its defense spending: enhancing military capabilities, forging new geopolitical alliances, and generating jobs in the Canadian military-industrial sector.
“My primary concern at the decision-making table, the cabinet table, is ensuring that Canadian taxpayers’ money is utilized effectively to reduce reliance on the United States and bolster job creation in Canada,” Joly emphasized.
During recent testimony before a parliamentary committee, two senior officials from National Defense and the Canadian Armed Forces expressed a preference for the F-35.
Deputy minister Stefanie Beck and Lt.-Gen. Jamie Speiser-Blanchet highlighted the advantages of “fifth-generation” fighter jets like the F-35, known for their stealth capabilities and rapid data processing.
“Having a fifth-generation aircraft is crucial as our adversaries possess such technology,” Beck stressed.
Speiser-Blanchet, the Royal Canadian Air Force commander, emphasized the urgency of transitioning to a new fighter fleet.
