Canada's Secretary of State for Defence Procurement, Stephen Fuhr, stated that the federal government is not looking to exit its contract for American-made F-35 fighter jets. Currently, 16 of these jets are in production. "I don't think that's the direction we're heading," Fuhr said during an interview on CBC's _Rosemary Barton Live_. He added that a decision regarding the contract will be made when the government is ready.

In 2023, the Liberal government signed a deal with Lockheed Martin to purchase a total of 88 F-35 jets. However, rising trade tensions with the United States prompted former Defence Minister Bill Blair to indicate in March that Canada was reconsidering the purchase. Ottawa has already committed funds for the first 16 aircraft.

Fuhr emphasized that Prime Minister Mark Carney will make a decision on the contract when he feels comfortable. He noted that the 16 F-35s are currently in various stages of production. "There's infrastructure being built out at the two main operating bases," Fuhr said.

When asked if he was considering the F-35 contract in light of ongoing trade negotiations with the U.S., Fuhr replied, "No, I'm not considering that." He asserted that Canada is a sovereign nation and will make its own decisions.

The government recently announced the creation of the Defence Investment Agency, which aims to streamline the procurement and delivery of military equipment. Fuhr explained that the agency will work closely with allies such as the United Kingdom, Australia, and France, while also reducing reliance on U.S. suppliers.

The new agency will have its own contracting authority and resources, which Fuhr believes will enhance its effectiveness. He also discussed the possibility of a mixed fleet of aircraft, suggesting that Canada could consider European options like the Swedish-built Saab Gripen. This approach would provide Canada with a broader range of capabilities to address various threats.

Concerns have been raised about the rising costs of the F-35 program, which have increased nearly 50% from an estimated $19 billion to $27.7 billion, excluding additional costs for weapons and infrastructure. A shortage of trained pilots has also been reported.

Fuhr expressed confidence that Canada can expedite military spending to meet its NATO commitment of 2% of GDP by 2025-26, which amounts to approximately $63 billion. He mentioned that the government is exploring faster procurement processes, including commercial contracting, to enhance efficiency in military spending.