Canadian military goes to U.S. for F-35 ceremony despite renewed trade tensions

Canadian military goes to U.S. for F-35 ceremony despite renewed trade tensions

The Lockheed Martin event in Texas comes as the future of the CF-18 replacement program is under review because of the ongoing trade and political disputes between Canada and the United States, and as the first F-35 is set to be delivered within months.

Canada’s First F-35 Takes Shape in Texas Amid Political Review, RCAF Attends Lockheed Martin Ceremony

Despite political uncertainty swirling around Canada’s flagship fighter acquisition, the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) has moved one step closer to inducting its first fifth-generation stealth jet. On February 2, 2026, Canadian military officials joined U.S. defense executives in Fort Worth, Texas, to mark the start of final assembly of Canada’s first F-35A Lightning II—an event that underscored the enduring momentum of the program even as Ott…

U.S. ambassador to Canada visits Luke Air Force Base as preparations advance for future RCAF F-35 training

Luke Air Force Base is the world’s largest F-35 training installation and serves as a central hub for fifth-generation fighter training for the United States and allied nations. “This visit reflects the enduring defense partnership between Canada and the United States,” said the Honorable Peter Hoekstra, U.S. Ambassador to Canada, adding that “training together at Luke strengthens interoperability and helps ensure our air forces are ready to ope…