Canada announced the purchase of 88 F-35A Lighting II fighters for $14.2 billion

The Canadian Department of Defense has announced the signing of a contract for the purchase of 88 supersonic fifth-generation fighter jets F-35 Lightning II. Deliveries will begin in three years.

Here's What We Know

Canada will spend $14.2 billion to buy 88 stealth aircraft, with the government financing the purchase of 16 F-35A fighters and related equipment for $7 billion in the first phase of the deal. Deliveries will begin in 2026, but there is a nuance.

Achieving full operational readiness of the fifth-generation fighters as part of the Canadian Air Force is scheduled for 2032-2034. Lockheed Martin will keep the first planes in the United States while Canada prepares the infrastructure. The F-35A fighters will not arrive in Canada until 2029.

The cost of one plane will be $85 million. The same amount for fighters is paid by the United States. This is connected with the fact that Canada has been funding development of F-35 Lighting II since 1997.

Source: Government of Canada
Image: Lockheed Martin