Canada will buy 16 fifth-generation F-35 Lightning II fighter jets for $5.14 billion

Canada has joined the European countries that are in line for fifth-generation F-35 Lightning II fighters.

Here's What We Know

The North American country wants to buy 16 F-35 Lightning II aircraft for CA$7 billion ($5.14 billion). The Canadian government has already approved the deal. In addition to fifth-generation fighters, the contract involves the purchase of additional equipment, spare parts and weapons.

Canada has expressed a desire to buy F-35 Lightning II in 2010. The American fighters should come to replace aging CF-18 Hornet planes, which are built on the base of McDonnel Douglas F/A-18. They have been in service with the Royal Canadian Air Force since the early 80s of the last century.

Despite the fact that Canada participated in the Joint Strike Fighter program, the fate of the procurement hung in the balance after the change of government. In 2017, authorities announced a tender in which Boeing F/A-18 Super Hornet, Eurofighter Typhoon, Dassault Rafale and Saab JAS 39 Gripen fighters fought alongside Lockheed Martin for the right to replace the CF-18 Hornet.

By 2021, only the F-35 Lightning II and JAS 39 Gripen remained in the race as Eurofighter, Boeing and Dassault Aviation withdrew their bids (or they were rejected). In early 2022, the Department of National Defense made the final choice, favoring the fifth-generation fighter as the best option for the Royal Air Force.

Source: CTV News
Image: Lockheed Martin