Canada is aiming the acquisition of $11.6 Billion uncrewed combat jets that could be joining the Royal Canadian Air Force’s (RCAF’s) planned fleet of Lockheed Martin F-35A fighters. The country’s Department of National Defence is looking at the possibilities of including the emerging technology .
Ottawa believes a fleet of ACPs to complement Canada’s planned 88 F-35As could be acquired for around C$16 billion ($11.6 billion) and require hundreds of staff, according to unclassified documents obtained by The Canadian Press.
The details on the particular aircraft Ottawa is aiming to buy for the uncrewed fighter programme, which is still in the exploratory stage. Canada is in the middle of refurbishing or modernising their efforts to their military forces and is reportedly aiming to spend billions of Canadian dollars to include new fighters, tankers, uncrewed aircraft, helicopters and maritime patrol jets.
Canada’s plan to buy 88 U.S.-built F-35 fighter jets is facing significant challenges including skyrocketing costs, a shortage of trained pilots and a lack of critical infrastructure, says a new auditor general report. https://t.co/jeBsxZafG6
— CBC News (@CBCNews) June 10, 2025
Countries like the USA, Turkey are already pioneering in uncrewed combat jets, holding multiple firms seasoned with the jets. Canada could seek such partnerships with countries front running in the field to develop their own domestically.
The RCAF’s inflation-adjusted C$27 billion acquisition of 88 F-35A stealth fighters is the core of that effort. The recapitalisation looks uncertain as the Canada- US relations are deteriorating since Donal Trump’s tenure started.
Canadian officials have advised Ottawa against the plans on buying the US-made F-35s. Prime Minister Mark Carney has promised a strategic review of the programme by the end of the North American summer.
