As Canada continues weighing whether to follow through with its acquisition of the U.S.-made F-35A Lightning II stealth fighters, it now turns out that the official overseeing the procurement process once criticized the program sharply. Stephen Fuhr, a former Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) fighter pilot, today leads Canada’s defense procurement efforts—including decision-making surrounding the F-35 deal. That shift from opponent to overseer adds fresh complexity to the country’s ongoing defense acquisition debate.
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## From Vocal Critic to Key Decision-Maker
Stephen Fuhr holds the post of Secretary of State for Defense Procurement, overseeing Canada’s major military purchases through the newly formed Defense Investment Agency. Back in 2011, when Fuhr was retired from flying Canada’s CF-18s, he lambasted the F-35 program—exposing its cost overruns, technical issues, and what he saw as misaligned capabilities for the RCAF.
Fuhr was especially concerned that the jet’s performance claims weren’t matching expectations. He challenged the projected price—then about CAD $75 million per aircraft—suggesting the real cost would be significantly higher. He also pointed out the program’s troubled development of critical systems like helmet-mounted displays and tail hooks. Furthermore, he argued persistently for a twin-engine aircraft better suited for Canada’s extensive, rugged airspace, citing the risks posed by possible single-engine failure in remote northern regions.
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## The Bigger Picture: Canada’s F-35 Ambitions
Despite opposition, Canada has already committed to purchasing 16 F-35As. These jets have been paid for and are expected in the country regardless of what comes next. The remaining 72 aircraft are under review. The government has not yet made its final decision on whether it will go through with buying them.
In May 2025, when Prime Minister Mark Carney took office, the outgoing F-35 deal was paused. Carney brought in David McGuinty as Defense Minister and appointed Stephen Fuhr to head procurement, explicitly to oversee complex deals like this one.
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## Why Fuhr Opposed the F-35—and What That Means Now
Among Fuhr’s earliest public criticisms:
– He claimed the F-35 would *not* deliver promised capabilities on time or within budget.
– He argued that the actual cost per unit and per-year production was far above what Lockheed projected—only about 30 aircraft were being produced per year in 2011 instead of the planned 170.
– He also emphasized infrastructure challenges—runway compatibility, tanker aircraft coordination, etc.—as unknowns that would add hidden costs.
Even so, as Fuhr moves into his current role, he has not publicly pushed for scrapping the F-35 deal altogether. Instead, he has suggested a mixed fleet strategy, combining the stealth fighters with alternatives like Gripen jets. He insists this setup, while logistically complex, is not impractical—many allied nations already manage mixed fleets.
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## Political and Defense Community Reactions
Fuhr’s earlier critique earned him opposition from military insiders who saw the F-35 as the cutting-edge solution. He drew sharp criticism from some veteran pilots and defense commentators, especially when he declared that the F-35 had failed on “almost every critical point” during its development.
Despite this, many in Canada’s defense leadership—particularly the RCAF’s top brass—support moving forward with the F-35 acquisition. From their perspective, Canada must stay competitive with other global powers like Russia and China, which already field fifth-generation missiles and stealth aircraft. Lt.-Gen. Jamie Speiser-Blanchet has argued that these developments pose risk to Western security and reinforce the need for Canada to match these capabilities.
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## Stakes, Tradeoffs, and the Road Ahead
A growing number of political figures have urged caution. Stephen Fuhr has hinted that publicly disbursing large contracts exclusively to American defense firms—especially under current geopolitical tensions—would not sit well with Canadians. He’s called for more independence, building local strategic partnerships or capabilities to avoid becoming overly reliant on a single supplier.
At the same time, Defense Minister McGuinty has made it clear the government still sees itself as obligated to procure a capable fighter jet fleet—to fulfill Canada’s domestic, continental, and international duties—regardless of rising anti-U.S. rhetoric.
Fuhr’s influence may further increase if the Justice’s Bill C-31 passes. That legislation would empower the Defense Investment Agency with expanded authority over economic security-related contracts, including those awarded without competitive bidding. That would give Fuhr a broader portfolio—perhaps making him more central than even key cabinet ministers in defense procurement.
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## What’s Unresolved
– Will Canada definitively move forward with the full order of 72 additional F-35As?
– To what extent will Fuhr’s earlier criticisms shape contract terms, infrastructure planning, and broader industrial commitments?
– How will partnership with American defense and technology firms evolve amid calls for greater independence?
Ultimately, the final decision will rest with Canada’s Prime Minister and his cabinet—and will carry long-term implications for defense strategy, fiscal commitments, and national industrial strength. For now, significant uncertainty lingers.
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