Canada Receives First 2 F-35s, But Its Full 88-Jet Order Hangs In The Balance

Canada has received the first two F-35 fighter jets from the United States, landing them at Luke Air Force Base on Thursday, October 22, before transfer back to Canada. Pilots will undergo specialist training, though the Royal Canadian Air Force has not confirmed when it will begin. The deliveries cover the first pair amid uncertainty over the larger order, capped at up to 88 jets. Prime Minister Mark Carney previously paused the plan, considering Sweden’s Saab Gripen, with debates tied to an ongoing trade dispute and Canada–U.S. negotiations. Canada has already committed to 14 additional aircraft, totaling 16, while the remaining 72 are still undecided.