What a Mixed Fighter Fleet Would Mean for Canada

This week there are reports that Canada is revisiting the possibility of acquiring a mixed fleet of fighter aircraft, including F-35s and Saab Gripens. The debate comes amid ongoing uncertainty over the reliability of U.S. security commitments in Europe, NATO force planning, and the strategic need to balance continental defence with international obligations.

In this episode of the Expert Series, Dr. Justin Massie and Richard Shimooka examine the strategic, operational, and industrial implications of a mixed fighter fleet and what it could mean for Canada’s defence posture both at home and abroad.

They discuss the role of fighter aircraft in NORAD and NATO missions, the challenges of integrating multiple platforms into existing command-and-control structures, and the extent to which political considerations may be influencing procurement decisions. The episode also explores the tension between Canada’s push for strategic autonomy in Europe and the enduring realities of geography, interoperability, and coordination with the United States.

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The CDA Institute is a non-partisan think tank that conducts research and education programming on defence and security.

Learn more: https://cdainstitute.ca/

The CDA Institute is a non-partisan think tank that conducts research and education programming on defence and security.

Learn more: CDA Institute