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Canada is negotiating with the European Union to join the EU’s efforts to reduce its dependence on the United States in the security sector, with a focus on buying more defense equipment, including fighter jets, in Europe.
This was reported by AP with reference to a Canadian official.
The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak publicly on the matter, said the plan includes the construction of fighter jets in Canada.
In Canada, against which US President Donald Trump has launched a trade war and threatened economic coercion to make it the 51st US state, Prime Minister Mark Carney has instructed Defense Minister Bill Blair to review the purchase of US F-35 fighter jets to see if there are other options “given the changing environment.”
Carney said the potential for increased production in Canada is one factor. The Swedish company Saab’s proposal promises that the assembly and maintenance of the Saab Gripen fighter jet will take place in Canada.
Canada’s contract with the US military contractor Lockheed Martin for the supply of F-35 fighter jets remains in force, but Ottawa has made a legal commitment to allocate funds only for the first 16 aircraft. Two years ago, Canada agreed to buy 88 F-35s, but now this may not happen.
On Wednesday, the European Commission unveiled its Readiness 2030 security strategy, calling on member states to buy most of their military equipment in Europe, working mainly with European suppliers – in some cases with EU assistance to lower prices and speed up delivery. They should only buy equipment abroad when cost, performance or delivery delays make it a better option.
On Tuesday, during a visit to Canada’s far north, Carney announced a $4.2 billion radar purchase from Australia. A Canadian official commented that he could not say how Washington would politically perceive the Australian purchase, but noted that American military officers welcomed it.
As a reminder, Brussels welcomed the results of a poll showing that 44% of Canadians support their country’s accession to the European Union, but ruled out such a scenario in practice.
