F-35 Canada has reached a major production milestone after the first fighter aircraft destined for the Royal Canadian Air Force completed its maiden flight in Texas on September 23, 2026.
The aircraft, identified as construction number AR-1 and intended to receive the Canadian designation CF-35A, flew from Lockheed Martin’s production facility at Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth.
The flight brings Canada’s long-delayed next-generation fighter program closer to the training phase, although the federal government is still reviewing whether the full planned purchase remains the best option for the country.
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F-35 Canada: What the first flight means for Canada
The first flight is a production and testing milestone rather than an operational entry into Canadian service.
After acceptance and additional checks, the aircraft is expected to move to Luke Air Force Base in Arizona, where Canadian pilots and aircrew will train alongside personnel from other F-35 partner nations.
Canada’s official project schedule calls for the first eight aircraft to be based in Arizona during 2026 and 2027 while infrastructure is completed at home.
The first F-35 is expected to arrive at Canadian Forces Base Cold Lake in 2028.
The Royal Canadian Air Force is expected to reach initial operational capability around 2029, with full operational capability planned for approximately 2033.
Canada’s planned F-35 fleet remains under review
Canada announced in January 2023 that it would acquire 88 F-35A fighter jets to replace the aging CF-18 Hornet fleet.
The acquisition was initially presented as a roughly $19-billion project covering aircraft, weapons, training, sustainment, information technology and new facilities.
That estimate later increased to approximately $27.7 billion as the project incorporated updated costs, inflation, foreign-exchange effects and additional requirements.
Prime Minister Mark Carney ordered a review of the F-35 decision on March 14, 2025, amid changing geopolitical conditions and concerns about Canada’s defence priorities and industrial priorities.
The review is considering operational requirements, NORAD and NATO commitments, Canadian economic benefits, strategic partnerships and possible alternatives.
Government briefing documents indicate that Canada remains committed to the initial tranche of 16 aircraft while the broader review continues.
That means the maiden flight does not represent a final confirmation that all 88 aircraft will eventually be delivered to Canada.
Why the timing matters for the CF-18 fleet
Canada’s CF-18 Hornets have already begun their retirement process and are scheduled to leave service entirely by 2032.
The transition schedule is therefore tightly linked to the need to avoid a gap in Canada’s fighter capability.
National Defence has said that extending the CF-18 fleet indefinitely is not considered a practical solution because the aircraft have already undergone multiple life-extension and upgrade programs.
The department’s current plan relies on Canadian pilots beginning F-35 training in the United States before the first aircraft are stationed at Cold Lake.
Construction and security work is also continuing at Cold Lake and Bagotville, Quebec, where the future fighter fleet is expected to operate.
Canadian industry is already part of the program
Canada has participated in the multinational F-35 program since the late 1990s and Canadian companies have supplied components for aircraft produced for the global fleet.
Federal documents say more than 100 Canadian companies have secured F-35 production-related contracts worth billions of dollars.
Canadian firms are involved in areas including aerospace components, wiring, landing-gear systems, software, maintenance and other manufacturing work.
The government has also identified L3Harris MAS in Mirabel, Quebec, as a strategic partner for discussions about a possible Canadian F-35 air-vehicle maintenance, repair, overhaul and upgrade facility.
Those industrial benefits are a major factor in the government’s review because the F-35 program offers opportunities beyond the aircraft purchased directly for Canada.
What happens next
The first aircraft must complete further production, inspection and acceptance steps before beginning its training role.
Canadian personnel are expected to continue preparing for pilot and technician training at Luke Air Force Base.
Meanwhile, infrastructure work will continue at Canadian bases, including facilities needed to handle the aircraft’s security, maintenance and specialized support requirements.
The government has not announced a final public decision on whether to proceed with the complete 88-aircraft plan, adopt a mixed fleet or select another approach.
For now, the first Canadian F-35’s maiden flight shows that at least part of the existing procurement plan is moving ahead even as Ottawa weighs the future shape of Canada’s fighter force.
Frequently Asked Questions
Has Canada received its first F-35 fighter jet?
Not in Canada. The first Canadian-designated CF-35A has completed its maiden flight and is expected to go to Luke Air Force Base in Arizona for training before the first aircraft arrive in Canada in 2028.
How many F-35 jets did Canada originally plan to buy?
Canada announced plans in January 2023 to acquire 88 F-35A fighter jets to replace the CF-18 fleet.
Is Canada still reviewing the F-35 purchase?
Yes. The federal government continues to review the wider acquisition while remaining committed to the initial tranche of 16 aircraft.
When will Canada’s F-35 fleet become operational?
The current government schedule anticipates initial operational capability around 2029 and full operational capability around 2033.
Why does Canada need to replace the CF-18?
The CF-18 fleet is being retired and is scheduled to leave service by 2032, creating pressure to introduce a replacement fighter capability before a gap develops.
Fact-Checked: Key aircraft, procurement, delivery and review details were checked against current Government of Canada and Auditor General documentation, with the maiden-flight milestone corroborated by current aviation reporting. ([canada.ca](https://www.canada.ca/en/department-national-defence/corporate/reports-publications/proactive-disclosure/2026/secd-mandate-priorities-nato-2percentage.html?utm_source=openai))
Disclaimer: Aircraft delivery dates and the final size of Canada’s fighter fleet may change while the federal procurement review remains ongoing.