F-35 flying into more delays and cost increases, U.S. government report says

The F-35 fighter jet program in the United States is facing yet more delays and cost increases, a development that could impact the Liberal government’s plan to acquire the aircraft for Canada.

The problems centre around the F-35’s Block 4 modernization, according to a new report from the U.S. Government Accountability Office, a congressional watchdog organization.

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Canada plans to purchase the F-35 Block 4 version as it was supposed to have improvements in sensors and weapon capabilities. But Block 4 is at least $6 billion over budget and five years behind schedule, the GAO report said.

The Block 4 modernization won’t be finished until at least 2031.

“The F-35 remains critical to our national defense, as well as that of our partners and allies, and is expected to re