No timeline given from defence minister on conclusion of review into F-35 fighter jet purchase

In Iceland, a NATO mission spotlights fighter jets alongside the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II as Canada weighs replacing its aging fleet.

Defence Minister David McGuinty is still without a timeline for the now-yearlong review into the purchase of dozens of F-35 fighter jets, telling reporters in Ottawa Monday that it’s ongoing.

“What it says, I hope, for Canadians, is that we’re being very responsible,” McGuinty said, when asked whether the review is being delayed because the Canadian government is worried about the reaction of U.S. President Donald Trump.

Following years of delays, Canada inked a deal in 2023, committing to purchase 88 F-35 fighter jets from the U.S. manufacturer Lockheed Martin. But, amid rising tensions with the United States, the federal government said last spring that it was reviewing the deal under former defence minister Bill Blair.

That review was supposed to wrap up by the end of last summer, according to a self-imposed deadline set by the government. In several interviews with CTV News chief political correspondent Vassy Kapelos since then, government officials — including McGuinty in November — have avoided giving an updated timeline for the review.

Sixteen of the 88 planes are already in production, while the Swedish manufacturer Saab has pitched Canada on a mixed fleet, integrating both the F-35s it’s already committed to with Saab’s Gripen model.

U.S. Ambassador to Canada Pete Hoekstra, meanwhile, has pointed several times to the F-35 purchase as a “great example of good co-ordination” between the two countries, and signalled the conclusion of the review could impact both Norad and the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement.

In an interview with CTV Power Play nearly a year go, Hoekstra went as far to say Norad could be in jeopardy if Canada reneges on its plan to purchase several American-made F-35 fighter jets.

“This is one of the largest acquisitions in Canadian history, as is the submarine acquisition,” McGuinty said, referencing the ongoing bid to replace Canada’s submarine fleet, “which is why we’re taking the time we need to take to get it right.”

“Obviously, the question of the F-35 remains under review,” he added. “The prime minister is engaged. I am very engaged in this issue. My colleagues in our emerging (Defence Investment Agency) are engaged.”

McGuinty also said it’s “a question now of examining all of the industrial benefits,” adding the federal government is “looking at all of this to make sure we get this right.”

The defence minister also sidestepped questions about the submarine contract on Monday, saying he was “not in a position to give … the specifics,” when asked what more the Defence Investment Agency is looking for from bidders.

“I’m not one of the individuals that’s administering that contract negotiation, but I think it speaks volumes to the strategic importance of having created that agency and having given a team the specific responsibility to negotiate the best deal possible for Canada going forward,” McGuinty said, in reference to the Defence Investment Agency.

“I think what we should do is stay tuned,” he also said.

The federal government is currently weighing submarine bids between Hanwha Ocean of South Korea and TKMS (ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems) of Germany.

Multiple government and private sector sources have previously told CTV News that a decision is expected to be announced in June before Parliament’s summer break.

With files from CTV News’ Judy Trinh