Canada eyes Swedish jets amid US trade tensions
Canada is considering the possibility of purchasing fighter jets other than the F-35 due to tensions with the USA. We present the background of the situation and outline the alternatives.
Canadian Defence Minister Bill Blair, shortly after reassuming his position in the new government of Prime Minister Mark Carney, announced that Canada is contemplating abandoning part of its order of F-35 aircraft in favour of European alternatives.
The decision to reconsider the purchase of F-35s in Canada comes against the backdrop of political tensions with the Trump administration, related to tariffs and threats of economic dominance over Canada.
Among Canadians, there is growing support for cancelling the $19 (£15) billion contract and seeking aircraft other than those manufactured and serviced in the USA. The contract for 88 F-35 aircraft was signed in June 2023, but according to Blair's statements to CBC, Swedish aircraft are being particularly considered.
Swedes may benefit from American weaknesses
This refers to the offer from Sweden's Saab presented in the second stage of the programme, which was ultimately won by the American company Lockheed Martin. Furthermore, this does not mean a complete abandonment of the paid batch of 16 F-35 aircraft and possibly another one or two.
The reason is that Canada has been a member of the JSF programme from the beginning, and local aviation companies are part of the fighter jet's supply chain — something that contributed to the country's economic growth by approximately $1.3 (£1) billion between 1997 and 2021.
On the other hand, Canada does not want to become completely reliant on the USA after Donald Trump's recent actions and wants a non-American alternative. While having two types of aircraft is costly, Canada also wants to further strengthen its aviation industry.
Among the alternatives, the French Rafale is likely ruled out because it lacks compatibility with American weaponry, and the French are not willing to permit licensed production, leaving the European Eurofighter and the Swedish Gripen. It is worth noting that Saab, which has not had significant success in recent years, was willing to build aircraft in Canada in the last proceedings.
