Canada’s defense procurement secretary, Stephen Fuhr, expressed confidence that the Canadian government has no intention to back out of its agreement to purchase F-35 fighter jets from the United States despite the ongoing production of 16 aircraft. Fuhr stated in an interview on CBC’s “Rosemary Barton Live” that there is no indication of a shift in direction regarding the contract termination after the delivery of the initial 16 jets. He emphasized that a decision regarding the contract will be made when deemed appropriate.
A spokesperson for Fuhr clarified that the current contractual obligation pertains to the 16 jets in production and not the entire planned fleet of 88 F-35 jets from Lockheed Martin. The Liberal government had previously signaled its commitment to acquiring the F-35 jets but has recently reconsidered the purchase due to escalating trade tensions with the U.S.
Fuhr mentioned that Prime Minister Mark Carney will decide on the contract timing based on readiness, highlighting the ongoing infrastructure developments at key operational bases. When asked about potential contract considerations amidst trade negotiations with U.S. President Donald Trump, Fuhr emphasized Canada’s sovereignty in decision-making.
Recently, the government introduced the Defence Investment Agency to streamline military equipment procurement and delivery processes. Fuhr underscored the agency’s autonomy and resources to enhance operational efficiency.
Regarding the F-35 review and the potential addition of European aircraft like the Saab Gripen, Fuhr discussed the benefits of a mixed fleet for enhanced flexibility in addressing various threats. He emphasized the importance of diverse capabilities to tackle different scenarios effectively.
Fuhr also expressed optimism about accelerating military equipment spending to meet NATO’s defense spending target by leveraging commercial contracting methods for faster procurement processes.
The Defense Investment Agency aims to collaborate closely with international partners like the UK, Australia, and France to diversify Canada’s military equipment sources beyond its predominant reliance on U.S. suppliers.