DND says F-35 review will be completed in the summer
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The Department of National Defence's review of its F-35 purchase will be completed sometime in the summer, but officials won't say exactly when or whether the report will be released to the public.
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Prime Minister Mark Carney ordered a review of Canada's $19-billion F-35 purchase in mid-March in the wake of threats against Canadian sovereignty by U.S. President Donald Trump. The U.S. has become increasingly hostile to Canada, with the American president continuing with his economic efforts to punish Canada and push for this country to become the 51st state.
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At this point, Canada has only financially committed to purchasing the first 16 jets from the U.S. government. The entire order was for 88 F-35s, which are manufactured by the American defence giant Lockheed Martin.
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Department of National Defence spokeswoman Andrée-Anne Poulin stated in an email that the F-35 review is being led by the offices of the assistant deputy minister for review services and the assistant deputy minister for materiel. They are receiving input from other organizations such as the Royal Canadian Air Force. The assistant deputy minister for material and the RCAF played key roles in the original selection of the F-35 for Canada.
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'It is anticipated that this review will be finalized in Summer 2025,' the email from Poulin pointed out.
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DND could not say which month the review would be completed.
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Asked by the Ottawa Citizen if it would be accurate to state the review would be finished by the end of August, the DND responded that, 'Further information will be provided in due course.'
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Poulin had previously noted that, 'The review would take into account the work already done to replace Canada's current fighter jet fleet.'
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Former defence procurement chief Alan Williams and various defence analysts have warned that the F-35 represents a strategic vulnerability for Canada since the U.S. has total control over software upgrades and spare parts on the aircraft.
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The Ottawa Citizen reported May 5 that the U.S. owns all parts for Canada's F-35s even when they are located at Canadian bases.
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