Canada Receives First 2 F-35s, But Its Full 88-Jet Order Hangs In The Balance

Credit: RCAF Published Oct 27, 2026, 1:41 AM EDT Journalist – Aaron is an aviation and travel journalist with 14 years of experience in the travel and tourism industry. His background spans airport operations, aviation infrastructure, and travel consulting, having worked with global organizations across New Zealand, Europe, and North America. Combining industry expertise with firsthand travel experience across more than 52 countries and five continents, Aaron covers airlines, airports, aviation policy, and the wider travel sector. He is based in Canterbury, New Zealand. His work has been published in Simple Flying and featured by MSN, SAM CHUI Aviation & Travel, EIN News, Pakistan Defence, and Climate Depot. Sign in to your Simple Flying account The Royal Canadian Air Force has received the first pair of F-35 jets from the United States. However, its full order of up to 88 of the military-class aircraft is still being debated by the country's leaders in the capital, Ottawa. Received at Luke Air Force Base on Thursday, October 22. Two Lockheed Martin F-35 jets will now be transferred back to Canada, and pilots will undergo specialist training on how to operate the jets. The RCAF has not yet confirmed when it will start this training program. The jets are fifth-generation stealth multirole combat aircraft. Why A Larger F-35 Order For Canada Remains Uncertain Credit: Navy Service News | Wikimedia Commons Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney earlier paused plans to proceed with a larger order of up to 88 of the jets, instead considering the Gripen jets made by Swedish manufacturer Saab. This came after the ongoing trade spat between Canada and the United States, amid President Donald Trump's continued trade and annexation threats. Carney's review was expected more than a year ago; however, the debate continues. As analysed by Simple Flying earlier this year, the country has already confirmed payment for an additional 14 of the F-35 jets, making the full commitment of 16 aircraft. The further 72 hang in the balance, amid the broader trade negotiations going back and forth between the two North American countries. Carney confirmed that the ongoing payments for the initial 16 jets act as a bargaining chip within these negotiations. However, alternative aircraft including the Saab are being considered, as is the revival of a domestic aerospace and defense industry on Canadian soil F-35 Budget of Up To $8 Billion The total cost of the F-35 program for the RCAF has exceeded the initial $8 billion budget. Rapid geopolitical tensions between the two countries have led to consideration of Canada acquiring the Saab JAS 39 Gripen E as an alternative. This aircraft is praised for ease of maintenance and versatility in Arctic temperatures. However, military leaders have suggested it lacks stealth and sensor fusion that would be required to compete against larger threats such as Russia or China. Reasons that Canada has been hesitant about proceeding with the full multi-billion dollar deal are due to the escalation in the initial estimates for the full fleet. This is now expected to surpass $27 billion. Additionally, critics and government officials have raised alarms that over-reliance on the US defense sector is sensitive, and the fleet would remain under Washington's control for software and maintenance chains. As such, Canada is exploring other options, and despite being legally bound for the first 16 F-35s, the Gripen acts as a suitable alternative. Future F-35 Fleet Is At Risk Credit: Tuomo Salonen | Wikimedia Commons This widening geopolitical gap between the two countries that have historically been close allies has seen the RCAF opt for simpler and lighter Saab aircraft. This comes even though the F-35 is a world-class stealth fighter and is a weapons technology powerhouse. Due to the ongoing unpredictability under President Trump, the Canadian government has considered how it could reinvest in the domestic aerospace and defense industry and revive it. This included the Avro Canada CF-105 Arrow, which was initially manufactured in Canada. Reconsidering the development of an aircraft in Canada could be seen through an integration of autonomy, due to the Canadian Production Centre being part of a Saab agreement, which would mean that Canada could construct the planes in their own country. Despite this ongoing tension, the RCAF and other internal briefings from the Canadian Defense Ministry still support the F-35, regardless of the ongoing political tensions. This is due to the program's close ties to the existing Canadian aerospace industry, as well as being the fifth-generation stealth fighter. More than 110 Canadian businesses contribute to the F-35 supply chain, and today around 30 continue to operate, resulting in up to 3,300 indirect domestic jobs.