Joly “Pulls the Plug” on the F-35: The Gripen Gamble and Canada’s Strategic Turning Point

Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly’s decision to terminate Canada’s F-35 fighter jet deal with the United States has sent shockwaves far beyond the scope of a conventional defense contract. This is not merely the cancellation of a procurement program worth tens of billions of dollars; it is the clearest signal yet that Canada is repositioning its strategy, economy, and industrial sovereignty in an increasingly polarized world.

According to diplomatic sources, Ottawa’s dissatisfaction with the F-35 program had been building for years—driven by spiraling costs, stringent security conditions, and, above all, deep dependence on U.S.-controlled technology systems. For Canada, this meant spending billions while lacking full control over maintenance, upgrades, or long-term defense capabilities. When Joly declared the F-35 “not worth it,” it was not a rash remark, but the conclusion of a prolonged strategic reassessment.

As the door closed on the F-35, another option opened: Sweden’s Gripen. Unlike traditional procurement models, the Gripen proposal was structured as a comprehensive industrial partnership. Stockholm signaled its willingness to transfer core technologies, establish assembly lines in Canada, and integrate Canadian firms into the global supply chain. Early estimates suggest the deal could generate more than 10,000 high-tech jobs—from aerospace engineering and military software to advanced materials manufacturing.

Politically, Joly’s move sends an unmistakable message: Canada will no longer accept the role of a “dependent customer” in major defense programs. It marks a firm assertion of strategic sovereignty at a time when Ottawa is increasingly wary of Washington’s use of trade and technology as leverage. Unsurprisingly, sources report that the Pentagon reacted with anger, viewing the decision as a blow to U.S. defense influence in North America.

For Ottawa, however, the political risk appears to be a price worth paying for a larger objective: rebuilding the national aerospace and defense industry. Analysts have described the decision as “the boldest aerospace gamble in modern Canadian history,” arguing that a successful Gripen partnership could transform Canada from a fighter jet importer into a future hub for production and export.

Gripen, therefore, is not merely a technical choice. It represents a broader vision—technological autonomy, high-quality employment, and a more independent strategic position on the global stage. If this gamble succeeds, Joly’s decision to “pull the plug” on the F-35 will be remembered as the moment Canada dared to change course in history.