Amid tensions, Canada says reviewing purchase of US-made F-35 fighter jets

MONTREAL – Canada is reviewing a major purchase of US-made F-35 combat planes amid serious tensions with the Trump administration, a spokesman for the Canadian Defence Ministry told AFP on March 15.

That announcement came two days after

Portugal said it too was re-examining a possible purchase

of American F-35 fighter jets amid rising international anger over the tariff war US President Donald Trump has launched and

his wavering support

for the Atlantic alliance.

Mr Trump rattled America’s northern neighbour by imposing 25 per cent tariffs on all Canadian products before

agreeing to suspend levies

on Canadian exports covered by a North American trade pact.

And he has regularly infuriated Canadians by suggesting their country become

the 51st US state.

In one of his first official acts

since taking office

on March 14, Prime Minister Mark Carney has asked the Defence Ministry “to determine if the F-35 contract, as it stands, is the best investment for Canada, and if there are other options that could better meet Canada’s needs”, according to an e-mail from Mr Laurent de Casanove, the ministry spokesman.

The Canadian government in January 2023 signed a contract with giant US defence company Lockheed Martin to purchase 88 F-35s for a total of C$19 billion (S$17.7 billion).

It has already paid for a first shipment of 16, set for delivery in early 2026.

The deal has not been cancelled, but “we need to do our homework given the changing environment, and make sure that the contract in its current form is in the best interests of Canadians and the Canadian Armed Forces”, the statement said.

Portugal indicated on March 13 that it was studying both American F-35s and European aircraft as it looks to replace its air force’s ageing F-16s.

Outgoing Defence Minister Nuno Melo raised those options in an interview on March 13 in the daily Publico, referring to the “predictability of our allies” and “the recent position of the United States, in the context of Nato and on the level of international geostrategy”. AFP