US warns Canada of NORAD shake-up if F-35 deal collapses

The United States has issued a stark warning to Canada, signalling that the future of the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) could be reconfigured if Ottawa backs out of its planned purchase of F-35 fighter jets from Washington.

US Ambassador to Canada Pete Hoekstra said the binational defence arrangement would have to be altered if Canada fails to proceed with its commitment to acquire 88 F-35 stealth fighters, arguing that Washington would be forced to “fill the gaps” in North American air defence.

“If Canada is no longer going to provide that capability, then we have to fill those gaps,” Hoekstra told CBC News, adding that the US could be compelled to deploy its own fighter aircraft into Canadian airspace.

NORAD, established in 1957, allows the closest allied aircraft—US or Canadian—to respond to airborne threats regardless of national airspace. Hoekstra warned that this seamless interoperability hinges on both countries operating compatible platforms.

The comments come after Canada last month announced a review of its $19-billion F-35 deal, signed in 2023 with Lockheed Martin, under which 16 of the 88 jets have already been paid for and are scheduled for delivery in 2026. The review followed renewed tariff threats from US President Donald Trump.

Ottawa is also weighing an alternative purchase of 72 Gripen E fighter jets and six GlobalEye surveillance aircraft from Swedish defence firm Saab. Hoekstra cautioned that such a move would still force a rethink of NORAD, describing the Gripen as “inferior” and less interoperable with US systems.

“If they decide they’re going with a product that is not as interchangeable as the F-35,” he said, “that changes our defense capability—and we have to figure out how to replace that.”