The United States has warned that it may increase the use of American fighter jets in Canadian airspace if Ottawa scales back its planned purchase of F-35 aircraft, raising new questions about the future of continental air defence cooperation.
U.S. ambassador to Canada Pete Hoekstra said a smaller Canadian fighter fleet would create capability gaps under NORAD, the joint U.S.–Canada air defence system. He noted that the United States would be required to fill those gaps to maintain air patrols and interception duties.
Canada originally agreed to acquire 88 F-35s to replace its aging CF-18 fleet, but rising costs and delays have prompted the government to review the programme.
Officials in Ottawa have not commented on the U.S. remarks or given a timeline for a final decision on the aircraft purchase.