By David Ljunggren

A Lockheed Martin F-35 aircraft is seen at the ILA Air Show in Berlin, Germany, April 25, 2018. REUTERS/Axel Schmidt/File Photo Purchase Licensing Rights , opens new tab

OTTAWA, Aug 7 (Reuters) – Canadian defense officials have strongly made the case that Ottawa should stick to a plan to buy 88 Lockheed Martin Corp (LMT.N) , opens new tab F-35 fighter jets rather than splitting the order, two sources familiar with the matter said on Thursday.

The review stops short of making a formal recommendation, one of the sources said.

The final decision rests with the Liberal government of Prime Minister Mark Carney, said the sources, who requested anonymity given the sensitivity of the situation.

Carney, who won the April election on a promise to stand up to U.S. President Donald Trump, had requested the review by military officials in March on the grounds that Canada was over-reliant on the U.S. defense industry.

Ottawa has made a legal commitment of funds for the first 16 F-35 aircraft. Although Carney made clear in March that Canada could seriously look at buying the remaining 72 planes from non-U.S. companies, the Defense Ministry review concluded there was no military sense in splitting the order.

The F-35 is the most advanced fighter of its type, and buying another jet from a European rival would incur extra costs in training, supplies, and maintenance. The Canadian Armed Forces are highly integrated with their U.S. counterparts.

Sticking to the original plan could remove a potential irritant in relations with the United States at a moment when talks on a new trade and security relationship have stalled.

Since winning the election, Carney has softened his tone, noting that despite U.S. tariffs on steel, aluminum, and cars, Canada is in a good position compared to other nations facing higher tariffs.

In a statement, the office of Defence Minister David McGuinty reiterated that Canada planned to buy 88 fighter jets.

“We are committed to procuring what the air force needs, while ensuring economic benefits for Canadians and the responsible use of taxpayer dollars,” it said.

Carney’s office declined to comment.

Canada announced plans to buy the F-35s in 2010, but a switch in governments, rule changes for aircraft procurement, as well as challenges from the pandemic, triggered major delays.

Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. , opens new tab

Suggested Topics:

Covers Canadian political, economic and general news as well as breaking news across North America, previously based in London and Moscow and a winner of Reuters’ Treasury scoop of the year.

Read Next

A change in leadership could pile pressure on the company as it pushes through a major strategic reset that Lip-Bu Tan started.

Site Index

About Reuters

Stay Informed

Information you can trust

Reuters, the news and media division of Thomson Reuters, is the world’s largest multimedia news provider, reaching billions of people worldwide every day. Reuters provides business, financial, national and international news to professionals via desktop terminals, the world’s media organizations, industry events and directly to consumers.

Read More