Former high-ranking officials of the Canadian Armed Forces are defending the proposed acquisition of 88 American F-35 fighter jets, aiming to halt the ongoing discussions between the Canadian government and Swedish company Saab.
A group of twelve former high-ranking officers from the Royal Canadian Air Force have communicated their support for obtaining a complete fleet of F-35s to fulfill Canada’s military requirements. Their initiative is to discourage the Canadian government from downsizing its F-35 order and substituting it with Gripen-E fighter jets from Saab, a Swedish corporation pledging to generate numerous employment opportunities in Canada.
The undisclosed letter, dispatched to key governmental decision-makers involved in the fighter jet dossier, including the office of Prime Minister Mark Carney, emphasizes the advantages of procuring a full fleet of F-35s. Carney had initiated a review of the procurement of F-35s from American manufacturer Lockheed Martin in reaction to expansionist threats from U.S. President Donald Trump. Although Canada is in the process of acquiring a minimum of 16 F-35 aircraft, there is no firm commitment to obtain the entire fleet of 88 units as specified in the 2023 order.
One of 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. Lawson, in an interview with CBC News, refrained from discussing the letter but raised concerns regarding the potential procurement of Gripen fighter jets. He highlighted the unmatched quality of the F-35 compared to the Gripen and emphasized the critical superiority of the F-35 in combat scenarios.
Lawson acknowledged the Canadian government’s rationale for diversifying its 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. Stressing the advanced capabilities of the F-35 in terms of stealth, radar evasion, and data integration for airspace awareness, Lawson advocated for acquiring more F-35s if additional fighter capabilities are required.
The potential acquisition of Swedish fighter jets and electronic surveillance aircraft by the Canadian Armed Forces was speculated during the state visit of the Swedish king to Ottawa and Montreal. Industry Minister Mélanie Joly has expressed the desire for enhanced economic benefits from Lockheed Martin in exchange for the $27 billion F-35 fighter jet contract.
According to Canadian officials at aerospace company L3Harris MAS, the non-execution of the planned acquisition of 88 F-35s could lead to substantial job losses. The firm is in discussions with Lockheed Martin to establish a maintenance center for Canadian F-35s in Mirabel, Quebec, which is crucial for sustaining jobs in the region.
The Mirabel facility’s economic viability is dependent on a full fleet of Canadian F-35s and collaboration with the U.S. armed forces, according to L3Harris MAS. Richard Foster, vice-president of the company, warned of potential job layoffs if Canada opts for a mixed fleet of less than 88 F-35s. Additionally, discussions are ongoing regarding the acquisition of new electronic surveillance aircraft, with several companies vying for the contract.
The Royal Canadian Air Force engaged with various potential suppliers in September to explore options for electronic surveillance aircraft acquisition, with L3Harris continuing to refine its aircraft proposal for the government.
