Canada’s Secretary of State for Defence Procurement, Stephen Fuhr, has stated that the federal government does not intend to back out of its current F-35 fighter jet contract with the United States, despite ongoing reviews and trade tensions.

Speaking on CBC’s Rosemary Barton Live, Fuhr addressed speculation that Ottawa might reconsider the deal. “I don’t think that’s the direction we’re heading,” he said, referring to the initial batch of 16 F-35 jets currently in production under contract with U.S. defence giant Lockheed Martin.

A spokesperson later clarified that Fuhr was speaking specifically about the 16 aircraft under contractual obligation — not the full fleet of 88 jets announced in 2023. The entire F-35 acquisition plan is still under review by Prime Minister Mark Carney’s administration.

“There’s infrastructure being built out at the two main operating bases,” Fuhr added. “And when [Carney] is comfortable with making a decision, he’ll make it.”

Fuhr also dismissed concerns that U.S.-Canada trade negotiations with President Donald Trump are influencing defence decisions. “We’re a sovereign country. We’ll make our own decisions and stand on our own two feet,” he emphasized.

➤ Defence Investment Agency Launched

Alongside the F-35 discussions, the Canadian government has officially launched the Defence Investment Agency, an initiative aimed at expediting military procurement. The agency is designed to function independently, with its own contracting authority and resources, and will work in coordination with key international allies like the UK, France, and Australia.

“It’s structured in a way to succeed, and we’re going to make it work,” said Fuhr.

➤ Could a Mixed Fleet Be the Future?

Back in March, former Defence Minister Bill Blair proposed the idea of a mixed fighter jet fleet, possibly including European aircraft such as the Swedish Saab Gripen. Fuhr indicated this remains a viable option.

“A wide range of capability sets is necessary to deal with all eventualities,” he said. “Relying on a single tool is not always the right approach for long-term military operations.”

While Canada’s full commitment to the F-35 program remains undecided, it is clear the government is weighing all options—including flexibility in fleet composition—while continuing production of the jets already under contract.