Canada has committed to purchasing at least 16 F-35s, though further purchases are seen as risky given the unreliability of the Trump Administration.
As the Canadian government weighs whether to purchase only F-35s or go with a mixed fleet of F-35s and Saab Gripens, the federal NDP is promoting a third option: Cancelling the F-35 order outright, and going all-in on buying Gripens.
The NDP made the call in a press release, which you can read below:
“New Democrats today called on Prime Minister Carney to cancel the F-35 fighter jet order, including the 16 initial fighter jets, with the United States and instead commit to purchasing the Swedish Saab Gripen fighter jets to defend Canada in partnership with like-minded ally countries.
Interim Leader Don Davies (Vancouver Kingsway) and Defence critic Lori Idlout (Nunavut) made the case to drop the American order for national security reasons. The MPs pointed out that the F-35 contract is bad for Canadian sovereignty, bad for the economy, and bad for Canada on the global stage.
“We are engaging in one of the single largest expansions of the Canadian Armed Forces in our history to respond to global threats and instability,” said Idlout. “Prime Minister Carney has promised to make Canada less reliant on American military, and the decision on the Royal Canadian Air Force’s next fighter jet must keep that promise.”
“Under the Joint Strike Fighter program, the U.S. Government will maintain full control of maintenance and software updates, and America will always have the option to effectively ground our fighter jets by denying critical parts or software updates,” said Davies. “That presents an unacceptable vulnerability we cannot risk.”
Davies pointed out that the proposal from Saab is an opportunity to meet our national defence needs and invest in our domestic manufacturing base. Saab has offered to build in Canada, creating 12,600 jobs.
“Despite claims that partner nations benefit from a global supply chain, a 2025 report by Project Ploughshares found that the U.S. receives nearly 70% of production subcontracts in the Joint Strike Fighter program,” said Idlout.
At a time when President Trump is attacking Canadian workers, threatening tariffs and questioning Canadian sovereignty, going through with any F35 order is unacceptable.
“Prime Minister Carney told the world that it is time for middle powers like Canada and Sweden to unite against great power rivalry and weaponized economic integration,” said Davies. “If he meant what he said, there is no option but to reject this contract and purchase the Saab Gripen.”
While the NDP makes some good points here, I think Canada should still – at minimum – fulfill our commitment to purchase 16 F-35s. While the Trump Administration has shown an unwillingness to respect previously-signed agreements, Canada should not go in the same direction. That being said, we should certainly go with a mixed fleet and form a deep defence partnership with Saab, including the domestic production of Gripens. While adhering to our original commitment regarding the F-35, we must also ensure we are not stuck being fully reliant on a U.S. fighter jet at a time when the U.S. cannot be relied on.
Spencer Fernando
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