Summary
Canada is reconsidering its F-35 fighter jet purchase amid rising tensions with the Trump administration.
Defence Minister Bill Blair stated Canada is exploring alternatives to the $19-billion contract for 88 jets, suggesting Canada might accept the first 16 already paid for while sourcing remaining aircraft from European suppliers like Saab.
This follows Trump’s tariff threats and comments about “annexing Canada by economic force.”
The Swedish-built Saab Gripen, which finished second in the competition, offers assembly in Canada, thus avoiding dependence on U.S.-based maintenance.
Gripens! You love to see it.
Not continuing to buy aircraft from a country whose current leader threatens with hostile action seems only 100% reasonable.
I would advise them to keep the ones they have, though - given their current threat model, until the US president changes, they need a “red team” to practise against.
Why would we want brickable planes from an aggressor?
This would be like the US buying MiGs during the cold war.
The Migs aren’t always online, controlled by a cloud.
It’s still buying proprietary tech from an enemy. It’s fucking stupid.
because they have AI!
I feel like Canada has smart enough engineers to fix that issue.
It’s a part of the software, which is a classified black box only the US sees into.
Didn’t Israel get access to the code as part of their contract? Kinda wish we had asked for the same thing now…
Maybe they can get in on BAE Systems Tempest and help to push things forward.
Fuck DRM
It is insane that anyone buys F35’s with DRM
Need empress to get on this.
