As of March 2026, the Royal Canadian Air Force’s (RCAF) path to modernization has encountered a significant strategic hurdle. While the first batch of F-35 Lightning II fighters is currently in production, Prime Minister Mark Carney’s government is re-evaluating the scale of the 88-jet procurement.

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  • While 16 F-35 fighters remain contractually committed for delivery starting this year, the full 88-jet procurement is stalled amidst trade friction with the Trump administration.

  • Rising program costs—now estimated at $30 billion—have reopened the door for Saab’s JAS 39 Gripen E.

  • The Gripen offers superior industrial benefits, including 12,600 domestic jobs and Arctic-optimized maintenance.

  • Ottawa must now balance the F-35’s unmatched NORAD interoperability against the Gripen’s economic sovereignty as the aging CF-18 Hornet fleet reaches its structur

  • Andrii ZvoryginA
    2·
    6 hours ago

    Yeah besides jets are basically obsolete now. Drones and missiles are the current state of the art and they can be manufactured in Canada. Canada should be taking notes from Iran and Ukraine for dealing with a larger belligerent. The F16s Ukraine got were hit by drones. Anything above ground is not safe from enemy bombardment due to satellite etc.