Why Canada should have a mixed fleet of fighter jets
University of Ottawa professor Peter Jones argues Canada should adopt a mixed fleet of fighter jets, combining F-35s and Swedish Gripens, to balance interoperability with the United States and greater defence independence. He says dedicating a smaller number of F-35s to NORAD missions while deploying a larger Gripen fleet for NATO operations and Arctic sovereignty could reduce operating costs and expand military flexibility. Jones contends such a model, already mirrored by Nordic NATO allies, would provide Canada with greater strategic options, industrial benefits and long-term resilience.
