Delivery of Canada's F-35 fighter jets could be delayed — extra costs possible

Depending on the length of the delay, Canadian taxpayers could have to spend between $400 million and $700 million extra for the stealth fighters.

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Published Dec 27, 2023 • Last updated 12 hours ago • 4 minute read

A demonstration of the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning jet fighter during the International Paris Air Show at the ParisLe Bourget Airport in June. Photo by EMMANUEL DUNAND /AFP via Getty Images

A top U.S. military officer has warned that the delivery of F-35 aircraft ordered by Canada and other allies could be delayed because of ongoing technical problems.

If that happens, depending on the length of the delay, Canadian taxpayers could have to spend between $400 million and $700 million extra for the stealth fighters.

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US Air Force Lt. Gen. Michael Schmidt, the F-35 program executive officer, recently told American lawmakers that the jet program is facing significant challenges in the development of the latest version of the F-35, known as Block 4. Canada is one of several nations that have ordered that aircraft.

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Schmidt warned that the problems, if not properly dealt with, could lead to the shutdown of aircraft production.

The Canadian Forces and National Defence acknowledged the concerns in an email to this newspaper.

“As with any developmental program, there are challenges in software and hardware production, testing and certification,” National Defence spokesman Andrew McKelvey said. “Canada is aware of the potential delivery delays; however, at this time Canada’s delivery of the initial aircraft in 2026 remains on track.”

McKelvey said the department’s fighter procurement office will continue to monitor the situation.

Canada is to receive the first Block 4 F-35s starting in 2026, according to National Defence.

The cost for any slippage in that delivery could be high for taxpayers, Parliamentary Budget Officer Yves Giroux has warned.

“Should there be delays in the delivery of these fighter jets for whatever reason, if there’s a slippage by a year, that would increase costs [by] about $400 million,” he told reporters on Nov. 2. “Or should there be a two-year slippage, the increase in costs should be about $700 million.”

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F-35 manufacturer Lockheed Martin has informed U.S. media outlets Defense News and Forbes that some Block 4 components are in different stages of development and will be delivered incrementally.

Canadian government ministers, including former Defence Minister Anita Anand, have said they have faith that Lockheed Martin will deliver the jets on time.

In early January, Canada announced it was purchasing 88 F-35s in a deal valued at $19 billion. Another $6 billion will be spent on weapons for the aircraft.

That announcement marked the end of a decade-long process that first saw the Conservative government commit to buying the F-35 and then back away because of increasing costs and technical problems associated with the stealth jet.

During the 2015 election campaign, Justin Trudeau vowed that his government would never purchase the F-35.

As prime minister, Trudeau continued to point out the Canadian military had no need for the F-35. “Canadians know full well that, for 10 years, the Conservatives completely missed the boat when it came to delivering to Canadians and their armed forces the equipment they needed,” Trudeau said in June 2016. “They clung to an aircraft (the F-35) that does not work and is far from working.”

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The Liberal government also noted the F-35’s “stealth first-strike capability” was not needed to defend Canada.

But in announcing the purchase on Jan. 9, Anand said the F-35 was needed to protect Canada and fulfill the country’s obligations to allies.

Analysts and academics with close connections to the Canadian Forces and the defence industry have praised the Liberal government’s decision to overturn its election promises and proceed with the F-35 purchase.

But social justice and peace groups have argued against spending billions on the jets, saying the money could instead be used on health care, education and affordable housing.

More than 780 F-35s have already been delivered to the U.S. military and allies, but the stealth fighter is still plagued with technical problems.

At a technical briefing held by the Canadian government on Jan. 9, 2023, a senior official claimed that the problems dogging the F-35 are “historical.”

That, however, isn’t true.

In April 2022, the U.S. government watchdog, the Government Accountability Office, reported more delays in operational testing that is needed to be completed so full-rate production of the F-35 can begin. There are still hundreds of problems left to solve on the aircraft, and companies are redesigning and replacing equipment on the planes that have already been delivered. “The more aircraft produced and delivered prior to resolving deficiencies, the greater the likelihood that the program will have to retrofit aircraft, at the expense of the government,” the Government Accountability Office report stated.

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Canada is a partner in the F-35 program and has contributed more than $600 million U.S. in funding for the aircraft’s development over the years.

Under the F-35 agreement, partner nations such as Canada are prohibited from imposing requirements for industrial benefits as the work on the fighter jets is determined on the best value basis. Canadian firms compete, and if they are good enough they receive contracts. Canadian firms have earned more than $3 billion in contracts to build F-35 parts, according to the federal government.

David Pugliese is an award-winning journalist covering Canadian Forces and military issues in Canada. To support his work, including exclusive content for subscribers only, sign up here: ottawacitizen.com/subscribe

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