NEW DELHI: US Ambassador to Canada Pete Hoekstra has warned that Canadian airspace could see increased flights of F-35 fighter jets if the Mark Carney-led government backtracks on its multi-billion dollar fighter jet deal.
“If Canada does not proceed with its planned purchase of 88 F-35 fighter jets, the US would have to buy more of the advanced aircraft for its own air force to protect the continent. Those jets would then be flown more frequently into Canadian airspace to counter threats approaching the United States,” Hoekstra said.
The warning comes amid tariff threats from US President Donald Trump, prompting Ottawa to reassess the terms of the agreement. Canada signed the deal with US defence contractor Lockheed Martin in 2023 and has already paid for the first 16 fighter jets, which are scheduled for delivery this year as part of the initial phase of Canada’s broader fighter jet replacement programme.
“Abandoning the deal would have consequences for the North American Aerospace Defence Command (NORAD), the joint Canada-US military partnership responsible for detecting and intercepting airborne threats,” he added.