Canada announced Monday (9) that it has reached an agreement to purchase 88 F35 fighter jets from the US company. Lockheed Martinin a CAD 19 billion (US$ 14.2 billion) fleet renewal project.
Canada expects the first F35s to be delivered by 2026 and the fleet to be fully operational by 20322034, Secretary of Defense Anita Anand told reporters.
The F35 “is the most advanced fighter on the market and it’s the right aircraft for our country,” said Anand, adding it was the largest investment in the Royal Canadian Air Force in 30 years.
The announcement coincides with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s trip to Mexico for the US leadership summit.
Ottawa has been trying to replace its fleet of Boeing CF18 fighters, some over 40 years old, for more than a decade. A change of government, changes in the rules for the aircraft procurement process and challenges caused by the pandemic caused delays.
The Trudeau government, opposed to F35 purchases on cost grounds, launched a competition to select the aircraft, in which Lockheed beat Sweden’s Saab and Boeing.
The project includes the cost of building infrastructure, armaments and other expenses. Officials said the total cost over the life cycle of the aircraft with new jets expected to last through 2070 is estimated at CA$70 billion.
Canada is part of a consortium that helped develop the F35, and Ottawa is paying the same amount as other participants, including the United States, for the aircraft.