{"id":163806,"date":"2026-11-07T05:05:00","date_gmt":"2026-11-06T23:35:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/?p=163806"},"modified":"2026-11-07T04:53:14","modified_gmt":"2026-11-06T23:23:14","slug":"canadas-f-35-purchase-hits-uncertainty-as-cf-18-fleet-nears-its-final-days","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/index.php\/2026\/11\/07\/canadas-f-35-purchase-hits-uncertainty-as-cf-18-fleet-nears-its-final-days\/","title":{"rendered":"Canada\u2019s F-35 Purchase Hits Uncertainty as CF-18 Fleet Nears Its Final Days"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

OTTAWA-<\/strong> The Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF)<\/a> has received its first 2 Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II<\/a> fighter aircraft.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The aircraft, serial numbers 35A001 and 35A002, were handed over on 22 October 2026 at Luke Air Force Base (LUF), Glendale, Arizona, for Canadian pilot and maintenance training.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Canada’s planned acquisition of 88 F-35 fighters remains under government review as its ageing CF-18 Hornet fleet approaches retirement in 2032.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first aircraft intended for operations in Canada are scheduled to arrive at Canadian Forces Base Cold Lake (YOD), Alberta, in 2028, while Swedish manufacturer Saab continues promoting its Gripen E as an alternative or complementary fighter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photo : Netherlands Ministry of Defence | Wikimedia Commons | https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Dutch_F-35_fighter_at_%C3%84mari_Air_Base_(20250401gtf1001).jpg<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

RCAF Races to Modernise Its Air Combat Fleet<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Canada is in a race against time to modernise its air combat fleet. Uncertainty remains over Ottawa\u2019s full Hornet replacement plan, and a final decision is needed soon as the air force prepares for a future beyond a CF-18<\/a> fleet that is becoming \u201cincreasingly operationally irrelevant.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Canada selected the fifth-generation stealth F-35 in January 2023 to meet an expected requirement of 88 aircraft.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Flight Global<\/a> reports that Lockheed Martin formally handed over the first two jets, numbered 35A001 and 002.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Both aircraft will support pilot and maintainer training at Luke AFB, where Canada plans to base its first eight F-35As through 2027. Ottawa\u2019s lead F-35A recently arrived there to support these training activities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prime Minister Mark Carney ordered a review of the acquisition in March 2025, and the status of the full recapitalisation effort is still uncertain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The review comes amid a dispute between the US and Canadian governments, stoked by US President Donald Trump\u2019s<\/a> imposition of tariffs and expansionist ambitions towards Canada. Carney holds responsibility for deciding the remainder of the future fighter deal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An official speaking at the Defence iQ International Fighter Conference in Munich said: \u201cNegotiations are going on\u201d and \u201cit\u2019s very much an issue of the Canada-US trade discussions.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The official added that \u201cthe F-35 handily won the future fighter capability competition\u201d and called it \u201cthe preferred platform for Canada\u2019s defence needs.\u201d The remarks were made under the event\u2019s Chatham House reporting rules.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photo: Ilmavoimat\/ Finnish Air Force<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Confirmed Orders Cover 30 of 88 Jets<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Canada was understood to have placed firm orders for its first 16 F-35As, and other public reports also describe 16 aircraft as committed. The official gave a different figure: \u201cWe\u2019re actually on record for 12 F-35s.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt\u2019s been erroneously reported in many news services as 16. It\u2019s 12: four aircraft in [production] Lot 18, four in Lot 19 and four in Lot 20,\u201d the official said. \u201cAnd then we\u2019ve got commitments on long-lead items on a subsequent 18.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Together, these commitments cover 30 of the 88 F-35As Ottawa intends to buy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Delivery Timeline for Frontline Jets<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The RCAF\u2019s first frontline F-35As are due at its Cold Lake base in Alberta during 2028.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The lead squadron is planned to reach initial operational capability in 2029. Full operational capability is expected in 2032 or 2033, according to the official.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Saab Offers a Mixed Fleet With Gripen E<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The dispute has opened a potential opportunity for Swedish airframer Saab. The company argues that a mixed fleet of F-35As and Gripen Es would deliver operational and affordability benefits for the RCAF.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On 27 October, Saab detailed a proposed industrial partnership with three Canadian companies. All arrangements depend on Canada choosing the Gripen E.<\/p>\n\n\n\n