Canada’s Defense Minister Bill Blair announced on March 14, 2025, that his department is actively reviewing potential alternatives to the Lockheed Martin F-35 stealth fighter, a decision that could dramatically reshape the Royal Canadian Air Force’s (RCAF) fleet modernization plans.  

This move follows a broader government reshuffle after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s resignation and growing diplomatic tensions between Canada and the United States under President Donald Trump’s second term. 

“The prime minister has asked me to go and examine those things and have discussions with other sources, particularly where there may be opportunities to assemble those fighter jets in Canada,” Blair stated in an interview with CBC

His remarks echo previous commitments by Swedish defense contractor Saab, which had promised to have its JAS 39 Gripen assembled and maintained by Canadian industry if selected during the fighter tender process ultimately won by Lockheed Martin’s F-35. 

Despite Canada having already partially paid for an initial batch of 16 F-35As, Blair’s comments suggest that the RCAF may not proceed with the full procurement of 88 aircraft as originally planned. This could lead Canada to maintain a mixed fighter fleet, balancing the F-35s with an alternative aircraft. 

Canada’s reconsideration follows a pattern of skepticism among allies regarding the F-35 program. On March 13, 2025, Portugal’s Minister of Defense, Nuno Melo, revealed that his country was also reassessing its plans to potentially replace its aging F-16 fleet with F-35s, though no order had been placed.  

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