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1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsCanada is continuing practical preparations for its F-35 program, but that does not mean the government has made a final decision to keep all 88 aircraft in its plan. In a May 2026 briefing, the Department of National Defence said its review of whether the F-35 remains Canada’s best choice was still underway. The preparations reflect a separate deadline: the CF-18 fleet is scheduled to retire by 2032, so a replacement must be ready in time to avoid a gap.
What does “moving forward” mean?
Canada announced in January 2023 that it would acquire 88 F-35s for the Royal Canadian Air Force. In March 2025, Prime Minister Mark Carney directed a review to determine whether the aircraft remained the country’s best choice. As of the Department of National Defence’s May 2026 briefing, that review was ongoing, and the government said it would announce a decision in due course.
The review is considering operational needs, NORAD and NATO commitments, industrial benefits, strategic partnerships and potential alternatives. The government’s briefing described its approach this way: “Canada will take the time it needs to get this decision right.” That is an institutional statement from the Department of National Defence briefing, not an attributed quote from a named official.
So, “moving forward” describes continued program work and planning—not a confirmed final decision on the full 88-aircraft purchase.
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- The F-35A Lightning II is the definitive fifth-generation multirole stealth fighter of the United States Air Force, designed to dominate modern air combat through unprecedented sensor fusion and low-observable technology
- 1:72 Scale Military Die-cast Plane Model. The size of the aircraft model is 8.7*5.9*2.2 inches, the weight is 0.45 pounds. This F-35A aircraft model requires no assembly and can be displayed directly after purchase
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Why keep preparing while the review continues?
The CF-18 fleet is scheduled to leave service by 2032. The Department of National Defence says the replacement capability must be operational by then to avoid a capability gap. That deadline makes it possible for procurement preparations and a review of the choice to happen at the same time; it does not establish that the review has concluded.
What the published schedule says
| Milestone | What was reported |
|---|---|
| First eight aircraft | The Office of the Auditor General of Canada’s 2025 report said the first eight were planned for Luke Air Force Base in Arizona in 2026–2027 for initial Canadian pilot training. |
| Aircraft planned for Canada | The Auditor General’s 2025 report said subsequent aircraft were planned to begin going to Canada in 2028. |
| Scheduled deliveries | In May 2026, the Department of National Defence said scheduled deliveries remained on track for the end of 2026. This was a schedule status, not confirmation that a delivery had already occurred. |
| CF-18 retirement | The Department of National Defence said the CF-18 fleet is scheduled to retire by 2032, by which time replacement capability must be operational to avoid a gap. |
The Luke training plan and the May 2026 delivery update describe different parts of the schedule. Neither, by itself, confirms the outcome of the government’s review.
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What does the $27.7 billion estimate cover?
The Department of National Defence’s project figure, current on its official project page when accessed in 2026, is $27.7 billion. It is the value of a broader procurement package, not simply the flyaway price of 88 jets. The announced scope includes:
- Aircraft and associated equipment
- Training and information services
- Sustainment setup and services
- Construction of fighter squadron facilities
Parliamentary scrutiny has also raised costs beyond that project estimate. The House of Commons Standing Committee on Public Accounts, in a report accessed in 2026, cited the Auditor General’s assessment that at least $5.5 billion in additional elements would be needed for full operational capability. Those elements are outside the original project estimate’s scope. The $5.5 billion figure should therefore not be treated as a newly stated official all-in total or added to the project figure without explaining the difference in scope.
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- Authentic F-35 Lightning II Model: A meticulously detailed 1:144 scale replica of the F-35A Lightning II, the conventional take-off and landing (CTOL) variant of Lockheed Martin's advanced Joint Strike Fighter, used by the U.S. Air Force and Allied nations.
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The committee reported important risks identified by the Auditor General that the project might not be delivered on time and on budget. It recommended progress reporting on risk mitigation, schedules, cost estimates and the cost of full operational capability. These are relevant to taxpayers because the headline project figure does not, on its own, describe the full cost identified for reaching operational capability.
What does the government report about Canadian industry?
In its May 2026 briefing, the Department of National Defence reported more than $5.2 billion in contracts to over 110 Canadian companies, and said 37 Canadian companies had active F-35 contracts, most related to production. The department also reported that, as of December 2025, Canadian components worth over $3.3 million were included in each F-35 produced for the global program.
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These are government-reported figures about Canadian participation in the program. They are one factor in the review, not proof on their own that the F-35 is the best choice for Canada or that the purchase will meet its schedule and cost targets.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What remains unresolved?
The official material establishes that potential alternatives are under review, but it does not provide a definitive, current, head-to-head comparison of those options. Nor does it establish a final decision on whether Canada will proceed with all 88 aircraft. The government’s stated review criteria offer the clearest framework for understanding what the decision must weigh:
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- 1/72nd scale
- Precisely reproduced panel lines of upper and lower body
- Authentic markings for three versions included
- Positionable canopy, bay doors, and landing gear; Seated pilot figure also included
- Paint and glue not included
- Operational fit: whether an option meets the Royal Canadian Air Force’s needs.
- Alliance commitments: how it supports Canada’s NORAD and NATO commitments.
- Schedule: whether the replacement can be operational before the CF-18 fleet retires by 2032.
- Full capability cost: what the program costs beyond the initial project estimate, including elements needed for full operational capability.
- Canadian industrial benefits: the scale and nature of domestic participation.
- Strategic partnerships: how each option fits Canada’s relationships and defence cooperation.
Until the government announces its decision and provides comparable information on alternatives, ongoing preparations should be read as work to manage a looming replacement deadline—not as confirmation that the review has endorsed the entire purchase.
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