Deal Struck for 88 F-35A JSF for $14 Billion

The CF-18 fleet is indeed set to be replaced with the F-35A Joint Strike Fighter, as rumored.

The deal will see $19 billion CAD spent on 88 aircraft, with a plethora of parts, support, and training to set up the new type with the Royal Canadian Air Force. Defence Minister Anita Anand said the country expects the first 4 aircraft to be delivered in 2026, with another 6 for 2 years afterward. As a stopgap, the RCAF has procured Australian F/A-18s to augment its aging CF-18 fleet until the early 2030's. Should all go well, the Minister expects the RCAF to phase out the older aircraft by the end of 2032.

The purchase has been a source of considerable fun and debate for aircraft enthusiasts in recent years, with a veritable buyer's market of competent fighter aircraft available from all over the world. Prime Minister Trudeau had once said that the F-35 would be on the chopping block prior to beginning his term, a position that Anand said has "matured" in the years since. Without significant opposition remaining, the selection of the F-35 comes as little surprise. To date, it stands as the only 5th generation, low-observable aircraft on the market, nagging operational issues aside.

While there are arguably plenty of cheaper, lower-maintenance, and less sophisticated aircraft suitable for the RCAF mission, Canada seems to prefer buying an aircraft as "future-proof" as possible, thinning out the majority of capable, but low-stealth 4th gen fighters. The purchase is the biggest fleet buy for the country in more than 30 years, one expected to bolster Canadian industry to the tune of $425M CAD and 3,300 jobs to the local economy. 

Anand said that interoperability and commonality were a key measure for the decision, saying "We see now that many of our allies are using the F-35. I am focused on ensuring that we deliver for the Canadian Armed Forces and for our country, as well as our multilateral obligations. And with this aircraft, which as I said has matured, we are doing just that.”

FMI: www.f35.com