The Canadian government's review of the F-35 fighter jet procurement is still in progress, despite earlier assurances that it would conclude by the end of summer. The Department of National Defence confirmed that the review is ongoing as officials assess military needs and procurement plans.

Defence Minister David McGuinty had previously stated that the review would be finalized by September 21. "The prime minister was very clear — by end of summer, which is Sept. 21, he’ll have a decision and more to say about this," McGuinty told reporters in Warsaw, Poland, on August 25. However, the government has missed this self-imposed deadline.

Despite the delay, defense experts are not overly concerned. Philippe Lagassé, a professor at the Norman Paterson School of International Affairs, expressed a preference for a thorough review. He emphasized the importance of determining whether Canada should consider acquiring other new fighter aircraft. "(The review is) tied to the sovereign capabilities Canada might need to have and whether a mixed fleet would be an option for Canada to consider," he said during a defense industry event in Ottawa.

Prime Minister Mark Carney, speaking in New York, highlighted the government's focus on ensuring that military acquisitions provide domestic industrial benefits and value for money. "The way we were making decisions, until this government, often was what's the military requirement? If it fulfills the military requirement, then we go with that," Carney stated. He noted that future decisions regarding the F-35 will consider both military needs and industrial benefits.

One competitor for Canada's fighter jet contract, European firm Saab, has promoted its Gripen jets by emphasizing that they could be built and maintained in Canada. Recent reports from government watchdogs have raised alarms about escalating costs and delays associated with the F-35 program. An auditor general's report released this spring indicated that acquisition costs have surged to $27.7 billion, nearly a 50% increase. The report also pointed out delays in establishing the necessary secure infrastructure for the advanced aircraft.

The U.S. Government Accountability Office recently reported that supply chain issues and problems with technological upgrades, known as the Block 4 subprogram, are causing significant delays and cost increases for the U.S. Department of Defense. Lagassé anticipates that concerns regarding Block 4 and its associated costs will be part of the Canadian review.

Canada initially planned to purchase 88 F-35s from Lockheed Martin and the U.S. government to replace the aging CF-18s, with an estimated cost of about $85 million each. However, the federal government is only legally obligated to purchase the first 16 aircraft under the current contract.

Carney initiated the review of the F-35 procurement after taking office this spring, a decision influenced by U.S. President Donald Trump's trade policies and comments about NATO. U.S. Ambassador Pete Hoekstra warned in May that failing to acquire the F-35s could "threaten Norad," the North American air defense command. At a recent event in Ottawa, Hoekstra remarked that while he does not oppose Canada purchasing other aircraft, it would be "a really expensive proposition" to operate both the F-35 and potentially another fleet of planes. "We don’t do that. We’re flying one because we recognize flying two platforms like that is very, very expensive," he said. "If Canada can afford to fly two platforms and you want to buy another plane, go for it."