Former high-ranking officials from the Canadian Armed Forces are advocating for the procurement of 88 American F-35 fighter jets, aiming to halt discussions between the Canadian government and Swedish company Saab. A group of twelve former high-ranking officers of the Royal Canadian Air Force penned a letter to the federal government stressing the advantages of acquiring a complete fleet of F-35s to fulfill Canada’s military requirements. Their objective is to dissuade the government from diminishing its F-35 order and substituting it with Gripen-E fighter jets from Saab, a Swedish conglomerate pledging substantial job creation in Canada.
The letter, not yet publicly disclosed, was dispatched on Monday to key government officials handling the fighter jet dossier, including the office of Prime Minister Mark Carney. Carney initiated a review of the procurement of F-35s, produced by American company Lockheed Martin, in response to aggressive actions from U.S. President Donald Trump. Although Canada is in the process of acquiring at least 16 F-35 aircraft, it has not committed to obtaining the full complement of 88 jets as initially planned for 2023.
Among the signatories of the letter is Tom Lawson, who served as the chief of the defence staff of the Canadian Armed Forces from 2012 to 2015. In an interview with CBC News, Lawson declined to comment on the letter but raised concerns about the potential acquisition of Gripen fighter jets. He emphasized the unmatched quality of the F-35 compared to the Gripen, asserting that any cost savings from opting for a secondary fleet would be negated as the Gripen is deemed inadequate for wartime scenarios.
Lawson acknowledged the government’s interest in diversifying military equipment sources beyond the U.S. but cautioned against reducing the F-35 purchase as a means to convey a message to the Americans. While he previously had ties with Lockheed Martin, he asserted that his stance on the issue aligns with his tenure in the Canadian Armed Forces and NORAD.
Highlighting the superior capabilities of F-35s in terms of stealth, radar evasion, and data integration for enhanced situational awareness, Lawson emphasized the necessity of acquiring more F-35s if additional fighter capabilities are required. He cautioned that procuring a secondary fleet of Gripen jets would exacerbate existing shortages of pilots and technicians within the CAF.
The Swedish king’s recent visit to Ottawa and Montreal has sparked speculation regarding a potential acquisition of Swedish fighter jets and surveillance aircraft by the Canadian Armed Forces. Industry Minister Mélanie Joly has emphasized the importance of securing enhanced economic benefits from Lockheed Martin in exchange for the substantial F-35 fighter jet contract. Discussions with Saab have hinted at new production facilities in Canada, with the potential loss of thousands of jobs looming if the F-35 acquisition does not progress as planned.
L3Harris MAS, a key aerospace company in Canada, has voiced concerns over potential job losses and economic viability if Canada deviates from the planned acquisition of 88 F-35s. The company is working to establish a maintenance center for Canadian F-35s in Mirabel, Quebec, in collaboration with Lockheed Martin, with promising indications of a maintenance partnership on the horizon.
Amid discussions surrounding the acquisition of electronic surveillance aircraft, various partnerships and proposals are being explored, including the GlobalEye aircraft developed by Saab and Bombardier, as well as offerings from other competitors like Boeing. The Royal Canadian Air Force is engaging with potential suppliers, with ongoing assessments and refinements to determine the most suitable aircraft for Canada’s requirements.