Former senior leaders of the Canadian Armed Forces are advocating for the acquisition of 88 American F-35 fighter jets. They aim to halt the Canadian government's negotiations with the Swedish company Saab regarding its Gripen-E fighter jets. A letter from a dozen former high-ranking officers of the Royal Canadian Air Force was sent to the federal government, emphasizing the advantages of a complete fleet of F-35s to fulfill Canada’s military requirements.

The signatories are concerned that the government may reduce its F-35 order in favor of Saab's Gripen-E jets, which promise to create thousands of jobs in Canada. The letter, which remains private, was directed to key officials, including Prime Minister Mark Carney's office. In March, Carney initiated a review of the F-35 purchase from Lockheed Martin, prompted by concerns over U.S. President Donald Trump's expansionist policies.

Currently, Canada is in the process of acquiring at least 16 F-35 aircraft but has not confirmed the full order of 88 jets made in 2023. Tom Lawson, a former chief of the defence staff, is among the letter's signatories. In an interview, he expressed skepticism about the Gripen jets, stating, "Unfortunately, regarding the F-35, there just is nothing available in the free world that comes close to the quality of the F-35."

Lawson highlighted the F-35's superior capabilities in stealth and data integration, which are crucial for modern warfare. He warned that opting for a secondary fleet of Gripen jets could lead to resource issues within the Canadian Armed Forces, especially given current shortages of pilots and technicians. "It really does make us nervous as we watch our elected officials romance the Swedes in this case," he added.

The Carney government has not yet committed to purchasing the Gripen-E fighters but has engaged in discussions with Saab, which has proposed establishing new production facilities in Canada. The recent state visit of the Swedish king to Ottawa and Montreal has intensified speculation about the potential acquisition of Swedish military aircraft.

Industry Minister Mélanie Joly has expressed a desire for greater economic benefits from Lockheed Martin in exchange for the $27 billion F-35 contract. "My goal in this review of the F-35 contract, or for fighter jets in general, is to understand what the industrial benefits will be," she stated.

Canadian officials at aerospace company L3Harris MAS have warned that thousands of jobs could be at risk if Canada does not proceed with the planned acquisition of 88 F-35s. The company is currently managing the maintenance of CF-18 fighter jets and is in talks with Lockheed Martin to create a maintenance center for Canadian F-35s in Mirabel, Quebec.

Without a full fleet of F-35s, the Mirabel facility may not be economically viable, according to L3Harris MAS. Richard Foster, the company's vice-president, noted that a mixed fleet of fewer than 88 F-35s could lead to significant job losses, estimating around 1,600 jobs could be affected.

As discussions continue, the Royal Canadian Air Force is evaluating various suppliers for new electronic surveillance aircraft, with Saab and Bombardier collaborating on a project named GlobalEye. L3Harris is also developing an aircraft with advanced radar systems. The competition includes Boeing's E7 Wedgetail, with various stakeholders highlighting the economic benefits of the GlobalEye while ensuring the aircraft meets operational requirements.