Canada is reportedly considering a major expansion of its fighter fleet, with discussions underway to potentially acquire at least 72 Saab Gripen E/F fighter jets from Sweden, alongside its existing order for Lockheed Martin’s F-35 Lightning II, according to a new report by CBC.
The development comes as the administration of Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney continues its prolonged review of Canada’s controversial plan to procure 88 F-35 stealth fighters, a deal increasingly shaped by political tensions with the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump.
If confirmed, the move could represent yet another challenge for Lockheed Martin, whose flagship fifth-generation fighter has suffered a string of international setbacks amid growing concerns over Washington’s reliability as a defense partner under Trump.
Canada Considering Mixed Fleet Of F-35s And Gripens
Canada placed its planned acquisition of 88 F-35A fighters under review in March 2025 amid rising diplomatic friction with Washington. While Ottawa confirmed it would proceed with the first 16 F-35A aircraft already paid for, uncertainty has surrounded the remaining 72 jets.
Amid this uncertainty, Swedish defense giant Saab reportedly revised and strengthened its offer for the Gripen E/F fighter jet, pitching a package tailored to Canadian concerns over sovereignty and defense independence.
According to reports, Saab’s proposal includes:
>72 Gripen E/F fighter aircraft
>Six GlobalEye airborne surveillance aircraft
>Domestic manufacturing in Canada
>Full technology transfer (ToT)
>Access to mission system source codes
>Sovereign control over operational data
>Independent maintenance and upgrade capability
The offer appears designed to address one of the key criticisms facing the F-35 program — concerns that operational autonomy may remain dependent on the United States for software, spare parts, and upgrades.
However, Canada may not be choosing between the Gripen and the F-35 after all.
According to a recent CBC report citing government and industry insiders, Ottawa is exploring the possibility of expanding its fighter acquisition beyond the originally planned 88 aircraft, potentially creating a mixed fleet of F-35 stealth fighters and Saab Gripens.
One informed source cited by CBC suggested the future Canadian fleet could exceed 140 fighter aircraft, with Canada potentially procuring 72 to 88 F-35s alongside at least 72 Gripens.
While these claims remain unverified independently, signals from the Carney administration suggest Ottawa is not yet prepared to abandon the F-35 program entirely.
Why Canada Has Not Walked Away From The F-35
Despite political pressure and trade disputes with Washington, Canadian military officials continue to emphasize the strategic importance of the F-35.
Earlier this year, Lt.-Gen. Jamie Speiser-Blanchet, commander of the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF), attended the ceremony marking the final assembly of Canada’s first F-35A fighter. Ottawa has also already funded critical components for 14 additional aircraft, signaling continued commitment to the platform.
Defense analysts argue the F-35 remains uniquely suited to Canada’s operational requirements, especially under the NORAD (North American Aerospace Defense Command) framework.
Conservative lawmakers and senior military officials have repeatedly maintained that the F-35 is the only available fifth-generation fighter capable of interoperating seamlessly with U.S. forces and countering increasingly advanced threats from countries such as Russia and China.
Washington has reportedly warned Ottawa that backing away from the F-35 program could complicate Canada’s role within NORAD, the cornerstone of North American continental defense.
At the same time, some observers believe Carney’s review of the F-35 was never intended to result in cancellation, but rather functioned as a symbolic diplomatic signal during deteriorating Canada-U.S. relations.
Reports suggest Ottawa could even leverage the future of the F-35 purchase as a bargaining chip during negotiations over the renewal of the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA).
Lockheed Martin Faces Growing International Pushback
Canada’s hesitation comes amid mounting challenges for Lockheed Martin’s F-35 program since Trump returned to office in January 2025.
Several allies and partner nations have either reduced planned purchases or reconsidered commitments to the stealth aircraft, citing concerns about the Trump administration’s unpredictability, tariff disputes, and fears Washington could weaponize military dependence during diplomatic disagreements.
Portugal Scrapped F-35 Plans
In March 2025, Portugal abandoned plans to purchase up to 36 F-35 fighter jets intended to replace its aging F-16 fleet.
Portuguese officials explicitly cited concerns that changing U.S. policies could restrict access to maintenance, spare parts, or operational freedom.
Spain Shelved Stealth Fighter Ambitions
Spain later suspended plans to procure the F-35 after redirecting billions of euros toward broader European defense initiatives amid growing calls for strategic autonomy from the United States.
Switzerland Scaled Back Procurement
Switzerland also reduced its planned purchase of 36 F-35A aircraft after costs exceeded expectations. The decision gained political momentum following Trump’s tariff measures against Swiss goods, which intensified domestic criticism of reliance on American defense systems.
India’s F-35 Prospects Also Stalled
India, another country publicly courted for the F-35 by Trump administration officials in early 2025, has shown little sign of advancing toward a deal.
Although the F-35 made a high-profile appearance at Aero India — sharing the spotlight with Russia’s Su-57 fighter — bilateral tensions between Washington and New Delhi have complicated defense ties.
Trump’s decision to impose steep tariffs on Indian exports and repeated claims about mediating the 2025 India-Pakistan conflict — statements rejected by New Delhi — have further strained relations.
A Critical Moment For Lockheed
The uncertainty surrounding Canada’s fighter decision comes at a difficult moment for Lockheed Martin.
In March 2025, Boeing defeated Lockheed to secure the contract for the U.S. military’s next-generation F-47 fighter aircraft, marking a major blow to a company that had previously delivered both of America’s operational fifth-generation stealth fighters — the F-22 Raptor and the F-35 Lightning II.
In response, Lockheed CEO Jim Taiclet has promised an upgraded “Fifth-Generation Plus” version of the F-35, integrating technologies derived from the U.S. sixth-generation fighter program.
“We’re basically going to take the [F-35] chassis and turn it into a Ferrari,” Taiclet said, describing plans to integrate next-generation technologies at roughly half the cost of developing an entirely new aircraft.
For Lockheed Martin, Canada’s final decision could therefore prove pivotal — not just financially, but symbolically — as the company fights to preserve confidence in its flagship fighter amid rising geopolitical uncertainty and shifting global alliances.
