OTTAWA — Canada’s top soldier says the Canadian Armed Forces are continuing to move forward with preparations for the arrival of F-35 fighter jets, despite the federal government’s ongoing review of the multi-billion-dollar procurement deal.
Chief of the Defence Staff Gen. Jennie Carignan confirmed in an exclusive interview with CTV’s Question Period that military preparations are progressing on schedule.
“We’re not currently in the position where we are waiting,” Carignan said. “We are working towards this acquisition. Our pilots are off to the U.S. in the next few months to start training. The infrastructure is going up. We have airfields being extended to get ready, so we are definitely not in a position where we are waiting.”
Canada reached an agreement with the United States in 2023 to purchase 88 F-35 fighter jets, after years of delays and debate over the program. The initial batch of 16 aircraft is currently in production, but earlier this year the federal government announced a review of the remainder of the deal and potential alternatives.
The government had initially set a late summer deadline for a final decision, but that timeline has passed without an update. Procurement Minister Stephen Fuhr said last week that there is currently no new timeline and that the Prime Minister will make a decision “when he’s ready.”
Asked whether it makes sense to invest in training and infrastructure before a final decision, Carignan said:
“That will be for the government to decide.”
She emphasized that the military will adapt to whatever decision is ultimately made, but for now, preparations are advancing.
Strategic Context
In a previous interview, U.S. Ambassador to Canada Pete Hoekstra suggested that Canada’s participation in NORAD could be jeopardized if it backs away from the F-35 deal. Despite that warning, Fuhr has maintained that Canada faces “no pressure” to rush the decision, saying the government will act “based on our own needs.”
The government recently announced the creation of a new Defence Investment Agency, designed to address inefficiencies in the country’s procurement system, which a federal release described as “fragmented, slow to consult industry, and too complicated to respond to rapidly evolving military needs.”
Prime Minister Mark Carney has also signaled a shift in Canada’s defence procurement strategy, pledging to reduce reliance on U.S. suppliers and diversify towards “reliable European partners.”
Next Steps
Carignan underscored that the F-35 is part of a broader effort to strengthen Canada’s defence capabilities, particularly in the Arctic.
“This is clear that we are in the middle of building capacity for Canada to defend itself and to cover the Arctic,” she said. “There are many, many different systems that contribute to that. It will not be about just one of those, and the F-35 is part of that overall defence.”
As the review continues, the military’s operational planning for the F-35 acquisition remains underway, with pilot training and infrastructure upgrades progressing to meet the original timelines.