U.S. Ambassador Pete Hoekstra underscored the deep Canada–U.S. defence partnership on Wednesday as Ottawa weighs whether to diversify its fighter jet procurement and consider Sweden’s Gripen alongside the already-committed F-35 fleet.
Speaking at the National Manufacturing Conference in Ottawa, Hoekstra emphasized that Canada is a sovereign nation that will make its own decision, but repeatedly highlighted what he called the “phenomenal success” of the F-35 program — an international consortium in which Canada was an early participant and whose technology Canadian companies helped develop.
Canada formally signed a deal in 2023 to buy 88 F-35s, with 16 already in production, but the federal government is reviewing the agreement amid tensions with Washington. As the Swedish royal family continues its state visit, Ottawa is signalling openness to purchasing Saab’s Gripen jets, with Industry Minister Mélanie Joly describing the proposal — and its potential to generate thousands of Canadian jobs — as “very interesting,” while Defence Minister David McGuinty says multiple suppliers remain under consideration.
