The Royal Canadian Air Force has accepted its first two Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II fighters at Luke Air Force Base in Arizona, beginning the replacement of Canada’s ageing CF-18 Hornet fleet. The aircraft, designated CF-35As in Canadian service, will remain in the United States for pilot training, while the first F-35s based in Canada are expected to arrive in 2028. Ottawa’s review of the programme’s eventual size remains unresolved.
The handover took place on 22 October and was disclosed publicly the following day through an RCAF social-media post. No formal media ceremony accompanied the acceptance, and the first aircraft also received no welcome event after rolling out of Lockheed Martin’s Fort Worth assembly line in September.
Canada selected 88 conventional-takeoff-and-landing F-35As in January 2023. Prime Minister Mark Carney’s government is reviewing that plan and has considered a mixed fighter fleet that could include Saab Gripens. Ottawa is contractually committed to the first 16 aircraft and has begun payments on an additional 14. A government audit reported that National Defence had committed C$935 million to the US government by 31 March 2025 for the first four aircraft and long-lead items for eight more.
The published programme schedule calls for initial operational capability in 2029-2030 and full operational capability in 2032-2034. The latest delivery therefore starts the training and transition effort without confirming the final number of aircraft Canada will operate.