Canada Eyes GCAP Sixth-Gen Fighter as $27.7 Billion F-35 Plan Faces Review
Updated
Updated · The War Zone · Jun 26
Canada Eyes GCAP Sixth-Gen Fighter as $27.7 Billion F-35 Plan Faces Review
3 articles · Updated · The War Zone · Jun 26
Summary
Defense Minister David McGuinty said in Tokyo that Ottawa wants to learn more about the UK-Italy-Japan GCAP fighter, marking Canada’s first public senior-level signal of interest in the program.
That interest comes as Canada reviews its 88-jet F-35 plan and weighs a split fleet, driven by worsening ties with Washington and the projected cost rising to $27.7 billion from $19 billion.
GCAP could fit Canada’s long-range Arctic and homeland defense needs, but joining now would likely mean observer status first, limited industrial influence, and waiting beyond the program’s nominal 2035 service target.
Ottawa has already committed to 16 F-35As, with 4 fully paid for and parts bought for 8 more, making any shift toward Tempest more complex and likely requiring older CF-18s to stay in service longer.