Friday, March 21, 2025
Lockheed “Scrambles” To Save F-35 Deal With Canada! Rafales Back In The Hunt As Carney Visits France For 1st Trip?
By Sakshi Tiwari
Lockheed Martin, the manufacturer of the F-35 Lighting II stealth fighter, which is currently caught in the eye of a political storm, is making concerted attempts to save the Canadian deal from collapsing. The American aerospace giant has reportedly made a new offer to Ottawa.
Citing sources, Canadian publication The Globe and Mail reported on March 20 that Lockheed Martin, the manufacturer of the fifth-generation F-35 Lightning II stealth aircraft, has promised Canada to create more jobs in the country if it remains committed to procuring the 88 F-35A fighters.
EurAsian Times could not verify these claims and has reached out to Lockheed Martin for comment. However, if true, it could be an attempt by Lockheed to exploit a key Canadian policy to salvage the F-35 agreement.
Canada’s Defense Procurement Strategy calls for “leveraging defense and security procurements to create highly-skilled jobs and economic growth across the Canadian economy.”
The reports of this new Lockheed offer come amid building suspicion over the F-35 platform and Donald Trump’s hostile policies.
Earlier, German security experts suggested scrutinizing the deal for the fighters based on concerns regarding an alleged ‘kill switch.’ Portugal, on the other hand, announced its decision not to buy the aircraft due to “geopolitical circumstances.” Later, Canada also said it would look for alternatives to the F-35 and explore European jets.
Fearing a fall in sales, Lockheed Martin, along with the Joint Program Office (JPO), recently issued statements dismissing the rumors of a kill switch (alleged to be a software mechanism that could disrupt the operation of the aircraft) on the F-35.
If the Lockheed offer to Canada, as cited by the news report, is true, it may signal a desperate attempt from the manufacturer to appease Ottawa.
Canada ordered 88 fifth-generation F-35A fighters from the US in 2023. The first tranche of 16 jets, which has already been paid for, is scheduled to arrive in the country early next year. However, the Canadian government is now reconsidering the purchase of the rest of the fighters amid an escalation in diplomatic tensions with the Trump administration.
F-35A Lightning II for Royal Canadian Air Force (via X)
The deal has not been scrapped, but the government has asserted that it needs to “make sure that the contract in its current form is in the best interests of Canadians and the Canadian Armed Forces,” a defense ministry spokesperson said earlier.
Canada has also signaled that other alternatives are currently under consideration. Prime Minister Mark Carney said, “We had a discussion about Canada’s options, and the fact is that under the [F-35] contract, as you may know, there are — after a certain number of purchases — we have options on subsequent aircraft.”
The two North American nations, who have traditionally been staunch allies, have been on a collision course since Donald Trump became President. Known for his penchant for controversies, Trump has repeatedly called on Canada to become the 51st state of the United States of America, even subtly threatening annexation.
In addition, it has also slapped unprecedented tariffs on the country, a move that can adversely affect the Canadian economy.
However, Canada’s reconsideration is not just based on circumstantial differences with the US. There is growing concern in Canada (and elsewhere) that in the event of a disagreement or a political fallout, the Trump administration could weaponize the control it enjoys over the aircraft by blocking access to spare parts and software upgrades that are required to keep the aircraft flying and combat-ready.
Trump’s coercion of Ukraine which involved halting military aid to get the embattled country to end the war, has triggered anxiety and insecurity among US allies.
Canada is apprehensive that it will never be able to fully control the highly automated aircraft. Lockheed Martin has consistently refused to give its complete “source code” to foreign clients, including close allies of the United States.
Notably, public sentiment in Canada has turned against the United States and the F-35 deal. Since the deal was signed, it has generated discontent in Canada due to the exorbitant cost of the purchase. In the days preceding the signing of the contract, activists around the country protested Canada’s decision to purchase US fighter jets.
Later, a Parliamentary Budget Office (PBO) report published in November 2023 also predicted severe price escalation that could cost the Canadian taxpayer billions of dollars more than was initially agreed upon, further generating frenzy.
Therefore, amid deteriorating relations with the US, the Canadians have thrown their weight behind the idea of nixing the F-35 deal.
Can Rafale Will Be Back In The Reckoning?
While contemplating nixing the F-35 deal, Canada is looking towards Europe to seek an alternative. Precedence is likely to be given to the Swedish SAAB Gripen-E, which lost the contract to the F-35. At the time, a dejected SAAB accused Canada of unfair play.
If Canada gets serious about scrapping the F-35 deal, SAAB could renew its pitch to Canada. SAAB’s website states: “The newest and fastest fighter on offer, Gripen, was built for Canada’s climate conditions and strategic requirements. It has the longest range and the best fuel efficiency. Best of all, Gripen is a revolutionary breakthrough in fighter design that makes technological upgrades fast and easy – a critical feature for military equipment intended to serve for decades.”
In addition to Gripen, there are two other European alternatives: the Eurofighter Typhoon (developed by the UK, Germany, Spain & Italy) and the French Dassault Rafale. However, there are concerns that the US could veto these sales, as it supplies some crucial components to Gripen, including its engines.
“The ability of the Americans to block (a sale) would be highest with the Gripen because of the engine,” defense analyst Martin Shadwick, who retired after teaching strategic studies at York University in Toronto, was quoted as saying by a Canadian news outlet. “Rafale would have the least American content,” he added.
The deal has not been scrapped, but the government has asserted that it needs to “make sure that the contract in its current form is in the best interests of Canadians and the Canadian Armed Forces,” a defense ministry spokesperson said earlier.
Canada has also signaled that other alternatives are currently under consideration. Prime Minister Mark Carney said, “We had a discussion about Canada’s options, and the fact is that under the [F-35] contract, as you may know, there are — after a certain number of purchases — we have options on subsequent aircraft.”
The two North American nations, who have traditionally been staunch allies, have been on a collision course since Donald Trump became President. Known for his penchant for controversies, Trump has repeatedly called on Canada to become the 51st state of the United States of America, even subtly threatening annexation.
In addition, it has also slapped unprecedented tariffs on the country, a move that can adversely affect the Canadian economy.
However, Canada’s reconsideration is not just based on circumstantial differences with the US. There is growing concern in Canada (and elsewhere) that in the event of a disagreement or a political fallout, the Trump administration could weaponize the control it enjoys over the aircraft by blocking access to spare parts and software upgrades that are required to keep the aircraft flying and combat-ready.
Trump’s coercion of Ukraine which involved halting military aid to get the embattled country to end the war, has triggered anxiety and insecurity among US allies.
Canada is apprehensive that it will never be able to fully control the highly automated aircraft. Lockheed Martin has consistently refused to give its complete “source code” to foreign clients, including close allies of the United States.
Notably, public sentiment in Canada has turned against the United States and the F-35 deal. Since the deal was signed, it has generated discontent in Canada due to the exorbitant cost of the purchase. In the days preceding the signing of the contract, activists around the country protested Canada’s decision to purchase US fighter jets.
Later, a Parliamentary Budget Office (PBO) report published in November 2023 also predicted severe price escalation that could cost the Canadian taxpayer billions of dollars more than was initially agreed upon, further generating frenzy.
Therefore, amid deteriorating relations with the US, the Canadians have thrown their weight behind the idea of nixing the F-35 deal.
Can Rafale Will Be Back In The Reckoning?
While contemplating nixing the F-35 deal, Canada is looking towards Europe to seek an alternative. Precedence is likely to be given to the Swedish SAAB Gripen-E, which lost the contract to the F-35. At the time, a dejected SAAB accused Canada of unfair play.
If Canada gets serious about scrapping the F-35 deal, SAAB could renew its pitch to Canada. SAAB’s website states: “The newest and fastest fighter on offer, Gripen, was built for Canada’s climate conditions and strategic requirements. It has the longest range and the best fuel efficiency. Best of all, Gripen is a revolutionary breakthrough in fighter design that makes technological upgrades fast and easy – a critical feature for military equipment intended to serve for decades.”
In addition to Gripen, there are two other European alternatives: the Eurofighter Typhoon (developed by the UK, Germany, Spain & Italy) and the French Dassault Rafale. However, there are concerns that the US could veto these sales, as it supplies some crucial components to Gripen, including its engines.
“The ability of the Americans to block (a sale) would be highest with the Gripen because of the engine,” defense analyst Martin Shadwick, who retired after teaching strategic studies at York University in Toronto, was quoted as saying by a Canadian news outlet. “Rafale would have the least American content,” he added.
Dassault Rafale
When Canada set out on fighter jet shopping, it shortlisted Rafale, among other competitors. However, after perusing the draft Request for Proposal (RFP), Dassault Aviation concluded that it would be difficult to achieve the Canadian requirements, which include intelligence data exchange and interoperability, particularly with the United States.
Dassault withdrew from the competition in 2018. At the time, experts noted that since protecting North American airspace is one of the RCAF’s primary roles, the French-origin jets did not fit the bill because the RCAF collaborates with the US Air Force through the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD).
As previously decoded by the EurAsian Times, the biggest stumbling block for Rafale was too much French hardware that was incompatible with the RCAF, including the radar and SPECTRA ECM system made by Thales and engines produced by Snecma. This also included weapons systems, which could pose a big challenge to the RCAF.
It remains to be seen whether France and Canada can chalk out a plan to facilitate a potential purchase at this stage by making technological adjustments.
French President Emmanuel Macron has already thrown the hat in the ring by calling on allies and partners to buy French military equipment as an alternative to American weapons. “Those who buy Patriot should be offered the new-generation Franco-Italian SAMP/T. Those who buy the F-35 should be offered the Rafale,” Macron told French media in a recent interaction.
Interestingly, after succeeding Justin Trudeau as Canadian PM, Carney chose key European powers France and the United Kingdom, rather than the United States, for his first trip abroad.
When Canada set out on fighter jet shopping, it shortlisted Rafale, among other competitors. However, after perusing the draft Request for Proposal (RFP), Dassault Aviation concluded that it would be difficult to achieve the Canadian requirements, which include intelligence data exchange and interoperability, particularly with the United States.
Dassault withdrew from the competition in 2018. At the time, experts noted that since protecting North American airspace is one of the RCAF’s primary roles, the French-origin jets did not fit the bill because the RCAF collaborates with the US Air Force through the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD).
As previously decoded by the EurAsian Times, the biggest stumbling block for Rafale was too much French hardware that was incompatible with the RCAF, including the radar and SPECTRA ECM system made by Thales and engines produced by Snecma. This also included weapons systems, which could pose a big challenge to the RCAF.
It remains to be seen whether France and Canada can chalk out a plan to facilitate a potential purchase at this stage by making technological adjustments.
French President Emmanuel Macron has already thrown the hat in the ring by calling on allies and partners to buy French military equipment as an alternative to American weapons. “Those who buy Patriot should be offered the new-generation Franco-Italian SAMP/T. Those who buy the F-35 should be offered the Rafale,” Macron told French media in a recent interaction.
Interestingly, after succeeding Justin Trudeau as Canadian PM, Carney chose key European powers France and the United Kingdom, rather than the United States, for his first trip abroad.
During his visit to France, Prime Minister Mark Carney met President Emmanuel Macron.
While in Paris, Carney said his country needed to “reinforce its ties with reliable allies like France” as relations with the United States unravel under Donald Trump.
“It is more important than ever for Canada to reinforce its ties with reliable allies like France,” he said during a joint press conference with French President Emmanuel Macron at the Elysee Palace on his first trip abroad since becoming prime minister.
“I want to ensure that France and the whole of Europe work enthusiastically with Canada, the most European of non-European countries, determined like you to maintain the most positive possible relations with the United States,” Carney said.
While in Paris, Carney said his country needed to “reinforce its ties with reliable allies like France” as relations with the United States unravel under Donald Trump.
“It is more important than ever for Canada to reinforce its ties with reliable allies like France,” he said during a joint press conference with French President Emmanuel Macron at the Elysee Palace on his first trip abroad since becoming prime minister.
“I want to ensure that France and the whole of Europe work enthusiastically with Canada, the most European of non-European countries, determined like you to maintain the most positive possible relations with the United States,” Carney said.
Contact the author at sakshi.tiwari9555 (at) gmail.com
No comments:
Post a Comment