Canada to receive 88 F-35A Lightning II fighter aircraft

The Canadian government has announced that it has reached an agreement with the US government, Lockheed Martin and Pratt & Whitney for the delivery of 88 F-35A Lightning II fighter aircraft at a total cost of procurement price of CAD 19 Bn (EUR 13.2 Bn). According to the Canadian Department of National Defence (DND), contract includes the aircraft, maintenance and associated equipment, as well as the construction of modern facilities for fighter squadrons in Bagotville, Quebec, and Cold Lake, Alberta.

The aircraft are to be delivered in tranches, Canadian Defence Minister Anita Anand has announced. Deliveries of the first tranche of 16 aircraft, costing CAD 7 Bn (EUR 4.9 Bn), is due to begin with four F-35As in 2026, she said. Six more aircraft each are to follow in 2027 and 2028. The remaining aircraft are scheduled to arrive in Canada by 2032 in time to replace the CF-18s. According to a DND spokesperson, Canada will receive the latest version of the F-35A, the Lot 18, Block 4.

Canada is the 17th country to order F-35s. Future operators (primarily comprising NATO members) include Germany, which has ordered 35 F-35As to be delivered between 2026 and 2029, following parliamentary approval in December 2022. According to Lockheed Martin, 890 F-35As have been delivered and are in service so far.

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