Canada hopes to get F-35s on schedule

March 21, 2024
David Pugliese

PHOTO: A U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning II, assigned to the 4th Fighter Squadron from Hill Air Force Base, Utah, conducts flight training operations over the Utah Test and Training Range on Feb 14, 2018. The aircraft is designed to provide the pilot with unsurpassed situational awareness, positive target identification and precision strike in all weather conditions.

CREDIT: U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Andrew Lee.

Delivery disruptions for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter are creating a headache for European buyers, as some countries face a potential capacity gap and delays in training pilots and maintenance engineers, Defense News reports on March 21, 2024.

Denmark is exploring how to deal with a slipping delivery schedule, including possibly borrowing or buying aircraft from other users, according to the article by Rudy Ruitenberg of Defense News. Norway said there’s a risk full operational capacity of its fleet will be pushed back.

The article can be read here:

https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2024/03/21/f-35-delivery-delays-frustrate-european-air-force-upgrade-plans/

On Dec. 27, 2023, the Ottawa Citizen reported that the Canadian Forces is monitoring the delays but still believes it will get its fighter jets by 2026.

That article can be read here:

https://ottawacitizen.com/news/national/defence-watch/delivery-of-canadas-f-35-fighter-jets-could-be-delayed-extra-costs-possible

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