The premier of British Columbia has urged the Canadian federal government to reconsider its plan to purchase up to 88 American-made F-35 fighter jets amid escalating tensions with the United States over trade tariffs. Premier David Eby criticized the prospect of spending billions on U.S. military equipment shortly after the United States imposed a 50 percent tariff on many Canadian exports, prompting Canada to respond with retaliatory tariffs.
Eby pointed to the cost of the initial 16 jets, estimated at roughly $12 billion, as an example of why Canada should halt or reduce its F-35 acquisition. “When your friend kicks you in the back, one of the first rules is you don’t then go and buy $12 billion of fighter jets from that person,” he said, highlighting growing frustration in Canada over what many see as hostile U.S. trade policies.
This position emerges at a time when relations between the two countries have become increasingly strained, with trade negotiations collapsing earlier this year and additional tariffs threatened. The Canadian government has been reviewing its F-35 purchase since early 2026, a process that has been politically charged given the conflict between maintaining defense partnerships and responding to economic pressures from Washington.
Prime Minister Mark Carney’s office referred inquiries about Eby’s comments to Defense Minister Davi McGuinty, whose office did not provide a response. The White House also declined to comment.
The decision is considered urgent as Canada seeks to replace its aging fleet of CF-18 fighter jets. The debate over the F-35 has spanned more than a decade, beginning with a 2010 Conservative government announcement, followed by a Liberal government review. Despite campaign promises to cancel the purchase due to cost concerns, the current administration increased the planned acquisition to 88 jets.
The Royal Canadian Air Force maintains that the F-35 is the most capable option to counter advanced threats, particularly from Russia and China. Lt. Gen. Jamie Speiser-Blanchet, commander of the Air Force, has testified that the F-35 uniquely meets the emerging technological challenges. One common justification for the purchase is interoperability with the U.S. military through the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD), although experts note Canadian pilots have historically operated different aircraft than their American counterparts.
Analysts such as Wesley Wark of the Baillie School of International Affairs emphasize the complexity and cost of the F-35, calling it the “world’s most advanced offensive air weapon” but also difficult to maintain. Wark suggests that a mix of fewer F-35s and more affordable alternatives could better suit Canada’s defense needs, particularly in the Arctic.
The only serious alternative to the F-35 is the Gripen, produced by Sweden’s Saab. While the Gripen lacks the F-35’s stealth capabilities and some advanced sensors, it is significantly less expensive and simpler to operate. Saab has proposed manufacturing the Gripen in Canada, aligning with Prime Minister Carney’s emphasis on boosting domestic production and reducing reliance on American suppliers, which currently account for an estimated 70 percent of Canada’s military procurement.
General Gregory M. Guillot, head of NORAD, has praised Canada’s F-35 acquisition but noted in testimony before the U.S. Senate that fourth-generation fighters, such as the Gripen, remain essential for defending North American airspace. He suggested that the F-35’s advanced capabilities are better suited for overseas operations rather than routine border defense.
Recently, Canada selected Swedish military surveillance aircraft over American competitors, reinforcing ties with Sweden’s defense industry and signaling openness to alternatives to U.S. equipment. No final decision or deadline has been announced for the F-35 review, but the prospect of reducing the order or incorporating Gripen fighters presents a potential compromise, albeit a politically sensitive one given ongoing defense and trade dynamics between Canada and the United States.