Canada is moving forward with the F-35 fighter program without hesitation until instructed otherwise, as stated by a senior official from the Department of National Defence during a House of Commons committee session. Deputy Defence Minister Stefani Beck appeared before the committee examining the latest auditor general’s report on the increased costs associated with acquiring the stealth jet.
Following Prime Minister Mark Carney’s call for a review of the $27.7 billion purchase from Lockheed Martin upon taking office, a decision regarding the acquisition of 88 fighters or opting for a more limited purchase was expected by late summer. However, as of now, no decision has been communicated.
Beck assured Members of Parliament that the current directive is to proceed with the existing contract arrangements until further notice. The focus remains on preparing infrastructure, pilots, and training for the arrival of the F-35s.
Canada’s commitment includes purchasing a minimum of 16 F-35s, with four already paid for and eight with deposits made for parts. The initial batch of jets is slated for delivery next year to a U.S. air force base for training purposes.
Regarding the program’s future, Beck emphasized that the government holds the decision-making authority. The Conservatives on the committee expressed strong support for the F-35 program and urged its advancement.
Lt.-Gen. Jamie Speiser-Blanchet, the new head of the Royal Canadian Air Force, addressed concerns about potentially operating a mixed fleet of fighters. She acknowledged the complexities and increased costs associated with managing two separate fleets simultaneously.
Speiser-Blanchet highlighted the urgency of transitioning to the F-35 due to the advanced capabilities of Canada’s adversaries, such as China and Russia, with their fifth-generation fighter aircraft and missiles posing significant risks to Western allies.
Defending the program’s nearly 50% cost escalation from $19 billion in 2019 to $27.7 billion in 2025, officials attributed part of the increase to changes mandated by the United States. Delays and higher costs in constructing new facilities at Canadian air force bases were also noted, partly due to heightened security standards set by the Pentagon.
Foreign exchange fluctuations, as the aircraft is purchased in U.S. dollars, were highlighted as a factor impacting program costs. Each one-cent shift in the exchange rate reportedly affects the program’s cost by $250 million.
Despite ongoing deliberations, no timeline has been provided for the prime minister’s decision on the F-35 program, which has raised concerns with U.S. Ambassador Pete Hoekstra over the potential implications of operating a mixed fighter fleet.
In a separate interview, retired Canadian air force major-general Duff Sullivan argued against the necessity of a uniform fighter aircraft fleet, emphasizing the importance of shared tactics and procedures for inter-operability rather than aircraft type.
