Canada receives first F-35 jets from U.S. as full order still under review

Canada has received its first two new F-35 fighter jets, American-made aircraft built by Lockheed Martin. The unresolved question is whether Ottawa will complete the planned purchase of 88 jets. It may instead buy fewer F-35s and add Saab Gripen fighters, creating a mixed fleet.

The Royal Canadian Air Force announced the delivery Friday with a Phoenix photograph showing a maple-leaf marking. However, officials could not say when pilot training would begin. Prime Minister Mark Carney paused the order while reviewing Canada’s defense needs and relationship with Washington.

The review began after President Donald Trump made repeated trade and annexation threats toward Canada. It also reflects concerns about dependence on American-controlled software, which helps operate the F-35. For now, Canada has two jets, but its final fleet size and mix remain undecided.

An F-35 is a modern American fighter aircraft designed to perform several military jobs. It can attack ground targets, fight other aircraft, gather information, and share it with friendly forces. Its importance comes from combining these abilities with a design intended to make detection difficult.

Stealth does not mean invisibility. The jet uses angled surfaces, radar-absorbing materials, and enclosed weapons to reflect less radar energy toward enemy sensors. For example, Canada’s newly received aircraft are Lockheed Martin F-35s, and one photographed in Phoenix carried a maple-leaf roundel.

Canada received two jets Friday, but has not decided whether to buy all 88 planned aircraft. Prime Minister Mark Carney is reviewing the purchase and may choose a mixed fleet including Saab Gripens. The review also matters because former foreign minister Lloyd Axworthy says Washington controls software used by F-35s.

Canada was originally expected to buy 88 F-35 fighter jets. It has received only two so far, meaning the delivered pair represents 2 of 88 planned aircraft, or 86 fewer than originally expected.

The planned purchase involves American-made Lockheed Martin stealth fighters for the Royal Canadian Air Force. Ottawa has paused the order while Prime Minister Mark Carney reviews whether Canada should buy the full fleet or use a mixed fleet.

For now, the two jets arrived in Phoenix and carry Canadian maple-leaf markings. The air force has not said when pilot training will begin. The review could lead to fewer F-35s, alongside Saab Gripen jets, rather than the originally planned 88. That makes the current delivery a small start, not a completed fleet.

Prime Minister Mark Carney paused Canada's planned purchase because the government is reassessing reliance on American-made aircraft. The review began amid President Donald Trump's repeated trade and annexation threats. It also reflects concerns about U.S. control over the jets' software. These stealth fighters are deeply tied to American systems, so ownership involves more than buying airframes.

One warning came from former foreign minister Lloyd Axworthy, who said Washington controls software used by F-35s. Trump had also discussed giving allies jets with limited capabilities to maintain American supremacy. That possibility could make Canada question how much control it would retain during a future disagreement.

Canada had planned to buy 88 F-35s, but Carney may choose a mixed fleet including Saab Gripen fighters. The Royal Canadian Air Force announced receiving two jets Friday and shared a photograph from Phoenix. It could not say when pilot training would begin. The purchase remains undecided, despite deliveries already beginning. Canada must weigh the F-35's capabilities against political and operational risks of depending on Washington.

Operating both types would give Canada two different tools, rather than one standardized fighter force. F-35s could handle missions needing stealth, while Gripens could add another option and reduce dependence on one supplier. The tradeoff is complexity: Canada would need separate training, maintenance, spare parts, weapons, and support systems.

For example, Ottawa has received two F-35s, although it had planned to buy 88. If it adds Gripens, pilots and crews would split across fleets, and commanders would choose aircraft according to mission, availability, and basing needs. That flexibility could matter because former foreign minister Lloyd Axworthy warned Washington controls F-35 software.

Canada has not made that final choice. Prime Minister Mark Carney paused the purchase review, launched after Donald Trump's trade and annexation threats, and the decision remains unresolved. A mixed fleet could spread political and technical risk, but it would cost more to manage than one fleet and could complicate common operations with allies.

American control of F-35 software could make Canada dependent on Washington for important updates, fixes, and access. Software helps manage an aircraft’s sensors, communications, diagnostics, and other mission systems. If Canada cannot change or fully access it, technical problems or policy disagreements could limit independent operation and maintenance.

That risk is highlighted by two details in the article. Donald Trump discussed giving allies jets with limited capabilities, while former foreign minister Lloyd Axworthy warned that Washington controls F-35 software. The mechanism is straightforward: the country controlling code and permissions can influence which functions are available, and when repairs or upgrades arrive.

Canada has already received two jets, but the air force could not say when pilot training will begin. Prime Minister Mark Carney has paused the planned 88-jet purchase and is considering a mixed fleet including Saab Gripens. Software dependence therefore affects more than maintenance: it weighs on readiness, sovereignty, and the value of choosing the F-35.

Modern fighter jets protect a country by watching its airspace, deterring attacks, and defeating enemy aircraft or missiles. Their speed, sensors, weapons, and stealth can help defend cities, ships, troops, and national territory. They also signal whether a country can control its own airspace without relying entirely on another power.

Canada’s F-35 decision shows how alliance benefits and dependence can overlap. The country has received two Lockheed Martin jets, while considering a planned fleet of 88 or a mixed force including Saab Gripens. They can strengthen cooperation with partners, yet Lloyd Axworthy warns Washington controls their software.

That dependence makes fighter purchases strategic choices, not simple shopping decisions. Prime Minister Mark Carney paused the order after Donald Trump’s threats; the review was due a year ago. Canada must balance capability, sovereignty, training, cost, and reliable access when shaping future defense and alliances.