Canada’s secretary of state for defence procurement, Stephen Fuhr, expressed confidence that the federal government is unlikely to back out of its commitment to purchase American-made F-35 fighter jets, with 16 aircraft currently in production. Fuhr stated during an interview on CBC’s “Rosemary Barton Live” that a decision will be made at the appropriate time regarding the contract.
A spokesperson for Fuhr later clarified that the reference was specifically to the 16 jets under the existing contract and not the entire planned fleet of 88 F-35 jets from Lockheed Martin. The government had indicated its intention to acquire these jets in 2023 but reevaluated the purchase following trade tensions with the United States.
Fuhr emphasized that Canada is contractually obligated to the 16 aircraft in production, and a comprehensive review of the entire program is ongoing. Prime Minister Mark Carney will ultimately decide on the contract, according to Fuhr.
The establishment of the Defence Investment Agency by the government aims to expedite military equipment procurement and delivery. Carney highlighted that the agency will collaborate closely with international partners such as the United Kingdom, Australia, and France, diversifying Canada’s equipment sources beyond its reliance on U.S. suppliers.
When considering the potential purchase of European aircraft like the Saab Gripen to supplement the F-35 fleet, Fuhr mentioned the benefits of having a mixed fleet to address diverse security challenges effectively. The secretary stressed the importance of maintaining a range of capabilities to handle various scenarios.
Fuhr also discussed the government’s commitment to meeting NATO’s defense spending target by 2025-26, emphasizing the need for efficient procurement processes to accelerate military equipment acquisitions. He suggested exploring commercial contracting as a faster alternative to traditional procurement methods.
