Canada is looking at possible alternatives to a deal to buy US fighter jets, in part because it relies too heavily on the United States for its security, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said, quoted by Reuters, BTA reported.
Carney made the comments just days after ordering a review of the contract to buy 88 F-35 multi-role fighters (Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II) worth 19 billion Canadian dollars (13.29 billion US dollars) from the manufacturer "Lockheed Martin" amid a trade war with the United States.
Canada's defense ministry says the contract remains in place and Ottawa has made a legal commitment to provide funds for the first 16 F-35s. For his part, Carney made it clear that Canada would seek another solution.
"It is clear that our security relationship ... is too focused on the United States. We need to diversify," he told reporters during his visit to London, noting that Canada spends about 80 percent of its defense budget on American weapons.
"Given the need for value for money, given the opportunity to significantly produce alternative aircraft in Canada ... it is sensible and in Canada's interest to review these options," he added.
Carney did not name specific companies. Swedish company "Saab", which lost the contract with Ottawa to "Lockheed Martin", had promised to assemble its planes in Canada if a deal was reached.
Canadian companies are also trying to benefit from the relationship. Bombardier CEO Eric Martel said he was concerned that Washington could target the aircraft manufacturer's U.S. contracts if Canada canceled the deal with "Lockheed Martin".
U.S. President Donald Trump has imposed tariffs on Canada and has long said he is considering making it the 51st U.S. state, Reuters notes. Procurement expert Philippe Lagasse, a professor at Carleton University in Ottawa, said buying 16 F-35s and then adding another plane would make the process more expensive.
Last year, Canada, under pressure from successive U.S. administrations to increase its defense spending, pledged to allocate more funds to its armed forces and said that by 2030 military spending would approach NATO's target, Reuters noted.