Canada’s defence procurement secretary, Stephen Fuhr, expressed confidence in the government’s commitment to the contract for purchasing F-35 fighter jets from the United States. Fuhr stated during an interview that there are no current plans to back out of the agreement, especially with 16 jets already in production. However, a spokesperson later clarified that the reference was to the 16 jets under contract and not the entire fleet, as the government had previously signaled its intention to acquire 88 F-35 jets from Lockheed Martin.
Following trade tensions with the U.S., the government had considered reassessing the purchase, but Fuhr emphasized that Canada is contractually obligated to the 16 aircraft currently in production. The decision regarding the full program is still under review, awaiting a directive from Prime Minister Mark Carney.
Fuhr affirmed Canada’s sovereignty and independence in making decisions, particularly in response to trade negotiations with the U.S. He highlighted the establishment of the Defence Investment Agency to enhance military equipment procurement and collaboration with international partners like the United Kingdom, Australia, and France.
Regarding the F-35 review, Fuhr mentioned the possibility of incorporating aircraft from European suppliers to diversify Canada’s fleet and enhance strategic capabilities. He stressed the importance of having a range of options to address potential threats effectively.
In line with NATO commitments, Canada aims to allocate two percent of its GDP towards defense spending by 2025-26. Fuhr expressed optimism in expediting the procurement process through efficient contracting methods to meet the defense expenditure targets promptly.
