US Warns Canada of Fighter Jet Intervention if F-35 Deal Falls Through

The United States has issued a stark warning to Canada: backtracking on its planned purchase of 88 Lockheed Martin F-35 fighter jets could fundamentally alter how North America defends its skies. In unusually blunt comments, US Ambassador to Canada Pete Hoekstra said Washington would be forced to step in, potentially flying its own fighter jets into Canadian airspace—if Ottawa reduces or cancels the multibillion-dollar deal.

The warning underscores rising tensions between the two allies at a time when defense spending, trade disputes, and national sovereignty are colliding.

Laura Loomer Slams Lockheed Martin’s F-35 Program as ‘Woke Waste’, Echoing Musk’s Critique

A NORAD Shake-Up in the Making

At the heart of the dispute is NORAD, the decades-old North American Aerospace Defense Command that allows US and Canadian forces to operate seamlessly across borders to detect and intercept aerial threats. Pete Hoekstra suggested that if Canada buys fewer F-35s—or opts for an alternative aircraft—NORAD’s structure may need to be rewritten.

“NORAD would have to be altered,” Pete Hoekstra said, arguing that a reduced Canadian fighter capability would leave security gaps the US would have to “fill.” That, he added, could mean Washington purchasing more F-35s for its own air force and deploying them more frequently over Canada.

Why the F-35 Deal Is Under Review

Canada agreed in 2022 to acquire 88 F-35A stealth fighter jets, initially funding 16 aircraft with deliveries beginning in 2026. However, the program has faced delays and cost overruns. A 2025 audit found the total cost had ballooned to $27.7 billion, up from the original $19 billion estimate.

The review of the deal comes amid broader political friction, including renewed tariff threats from US President Donald Trump. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has framed the reassessment as a matter of fiscal responsibility and national interest.

Canada Eyes European Alternatives

Ottawa is now reportedly exploring alternatives, including Sweden’s Saab JAS 39 Gripen E fighter jet. Saab has pitched the aircraft as a cost-effective option, promising domestic manufacturing and the creation of 12,600 Canadian jobs.

Industry Minister Mélanie Joly said the government is focused on defense investments that both protect sovereignty and boost the economy. “We can control our defense investments, who we award contracts to, and how we create jobs in Canada,” she said.

Washington Pushes Back

Pete Hoekstra was blunt in his assessment of Canada’s decision to choose a non-F-35 option, calling alternative jets “inferior” in terms of interoperability with US forces. Such a move, he warned, would weaken joint defense capabilities and force Washington to compensate unilaterally.

The comments reflect a broader pattern of US pressure on allies to align with American defense and security priorities—often framed as essential for collective safety, but criticized by some as heavy-handed.

For now, Canadian officials insist no final decision has been made. But with NORAD’s future, billions in defense spending, and national sovereignty on the line, the fighter jet debate is quickly becoming one of the most consequential defense disputes between the two neighbors in decades.