Fact check: did canada cancel its order of us f-35 jets?

Claim: Canada has canceled its order of F-35 fighter jets from the United States.

Date of Fact Check: March 16, 2025, 09:08 AM EDT

Verdict: False (as of the current date, based on available information).

Background

Canada finalized a C$19 billion ($13.2 billion USD) deal in 2023 with Lockheed Martin, a U.S. defense contractor, to purchase 88 F-35 fighter jets to replace its aging fleet of CF-18 aircraft. The agreement was the result of a competitive process that saw Lockheed Martin outbid other contenders, including Saab AB (Sweden) and Boeing Co. (U.S.). The contract is structured in tranches, with Canada legally committing funds for the first 16 jets, the initial deliveries of which are expected in 2026.

Recently, posts on X and various news reports have suggested that Canada may have canceled or is planning to cancel this order, often citing tensions with the U.S. under President Donald Trump, including trade disputes and tariffs, as well as comments from Canada’s new Prime Minister, Mark Carney.

Evidence and Analysis

Official Statements and Actions:
- On March 14, 2025, hours after being sworn in as Prime Minister, Mark Carney ordered a review of the F-35 contract. According to a defense ministry spokesperson, Carney instructed Defence Minister Bill Blair to work with the Canadian Armed Forces and the Department of National Defence “to determine if the F-35 contract, as it stands, is the best investment for Canada, and if there are other options that could better meet Canada’s needs.”
- The spokesperson emphasized that “the contract to purchase the F-35 remains in place” and that Canada has already made a legal commitment of funds for the first 16 aircraft. This was reiterated in multiple reports, including from Bloomberg, AP News, and CBC News, dated March 15, 2025.
- In an interview with CBC’s Power & Politics on March 14, 2025, Blair confirmed that the review is underway but clarified that no cancellation has occurred. He suggested exploring alternatives, such as a mixed fleet where the first 16 jets might still be F-35s, while the remainder could come from other suppliers, like Sweden’s Saab Gripen.
Context of the Review:
- Carney’s directive comes amid strained Canada-U.S. relations, including a trade war sparked by Trump’s imposition of a 25% tariff on Canadian goods and his provocative rhetoric, such as threats to “annex” Canada. During the Liberal Party leadership race in February 2025, Carney had expressed a desire to redirect military spending within Canada, criticizing the fact that 80% of defense dollars were being spent in the U.S.
- Saab, which lost the original bid, has previously offered to build its Gripen E fighters in Canada, an option that could align with Carney’s stated priorities and is reportedly under consideration.
Misinformation on X:
- Some posts on X, such as one from @KremlinTrolls on March 16, 2025, at 06:14 EDT, claim “It’s done – Canada cancels F-35 order due to Trump’s idiocy.” However, this assertion lacks supporting evidence from credible sources and contradicts official statements indicating the contract remains intact pending the review’s outcome.
- Other posts, like those from @moserkarl and @ukemonde on March 15, 2025, cite Blair saying, “We are being compelled to look at options,” which is accurate but does not confirm cancellation—only a review.
Comparison with Other Nations:
- Portugal recently signaled it might abandon its own F-35 acquisition plans, citing concerns over U.S. reliability within NATO, as reported on March 13, 2025. While this may influence Canada’s thinking, it does not indicate Canada has followed suit.

Conclusion

As of March 16, 2025, Canada has not canceled its order for the F-35 fighter jets. Prime Minister Mark Carney has initiated a review of the contract, prompted by economic and geopolitical tensions with the U.S., to assess whether it remains the best option for Canada or if alternatives (e.g., Saab Gripen) should be considered. The contract, including the legal commitment for the first 16 jets, remains in place during this review. Claims of cancellation, such as those circulating on X, are premature and unsupported by official sources at this time.

Status: The situation is evolving, and the review’s outcome could lead to changes in the future, but no cancellation has been confirmed as of now.

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