Summary
Canada is reconsidering its F-35 fighter jet purchase amid rising tensions with the Trump administration.
Defence Minister Bill Blair stated Canada is exploring alternatives to the $19-billion contract for 88 jets, suggesting Canada might accept the first 16 already paid for while sourcing remaining aircraft from European suppliers like Saab.
This follows Trump’s tariff threats and comments about “annexing Canada by economic force.”
The Swedish-built Saab Gripen, which finished second in the competition, offers assembly in Canada, thus avoiding dependence on U.S.-based maintenance.
I read that it’s trivially easy for the US to remotely disable those planes. Seems like a security concern to use them.
That alone should be reason enough to not buy it. I bet it’s not even trivial to verify if that’s the case which gives even more reason to not go ahead with the purchase.
Yeah you read a lot of things. Doesn’t mean they’re true.
Correct. I did follow up today and read some more sources and it sounds like it’s not quite as simple a story, but the dependence on the US military seems to be a significant issue. I found a better article with a more nuanced take here if you’re interested in that sort of thing: https://theaviationist.com/2025/03/10/f-35-kill-switch-myth/