Ottawa's role in continental defence is under the spotlight after the commander of NORAD made a surprising statement to U.S. lawmakers — suggesting that next-generation fighter jets like the F-35 may not be the essential ingredient for protecting North America that many have long assumed.
General Gregory M. Guillot, who heads both NORAD and U.S. Northern Command, made the remarks at a U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on March 19. When pressed on the necessity of F-35-type aircraft for North American defence, Guillot indicated that other capabilities and systems could fulfill the mission — a statement that landed like a bombshell given the billions Canada has committed to acquiring the stealth fighter.
Canada's F-35 Deal Under the Microscope
Canada signed a deal to purchase 88 F-35 fighters in a contract worth up to $19 billion CAD — one of the largest defence procurements in the country's history. The jets are intended to eventually replace the aging CF-18 Hornets that have formed the backbone of the Royal Canadian Air Force for decades.
The federal government framed the purchase as a critical modernization of Canada's ability to meet its NORAD commitments — the joint Canada-U.S. aerospace defence command headquartered in Colorado Springs, with its Canadian element based at Canadian Forces Base Winnipeg and closely coordinated with defence operations in Ottawa.
Grillot's comments now complicate that narrative. If the commander of NORAD itself is suggesting that F-35-class aircraft aren't strictly necessary, critics will inevitably ask whether Canada is getting full value for its investment — or whether the money could be better spent on other defence priorities.
What NORAD Actually Needs
Defence analysts have increasingly pointed to domains beyond traditional air superiority as the real gaps in North American defence. Arctic surveillance, hypersonic missile detection, space-based early warning systems, and cyber defence have all been flagged as urgent priorities that may deliver more strategic value than any single aircraft platform.
Canada has already committed to significant NORAD modernization spending — roughly $38.6 billion over 20 years — with investments in over-the-horizon radar, surveillance infrastructure in the Arctic, and command-and-control upgrades. The F-35s are meant to complement those investments, not replace them.
Still, Guillot's candour at the Senate hearing gives ammunition to those who have questioned whether a fleet of cutting-edge stealth fighters is the right call for a country with Canada's specific geography and threat environment. Canada's vast Arctic coastline and limited air force basing options make the mission profile quite different from what U.S. Air Force planners typically design around.
Ottawa Watching Closely
For defence watchers in Ottawa, the timing of Guillot's remarks is notable. Canada is currently navigating delicate relations with Washington over trade and security burden-sharing, with U.S. officials repeatedly pressing allies to increase defence spending. The F-35 purchase was partly seen as a gesture of good faith — a signal that Canada was serious about pulling its weight in the alliance.
Whether Guillot's comments will prompt any reconsideration in Ottawa remains to be seen. The Department of National Defence has not publicly responded to his Senate testimony, and the F-35 contract is already far advanced.
For now, the debate is a reminder that even the biggest, most expensive defence decisions can be upended by a few candid words before a congressional committee.
Source: Ottawa Citizen / Defence Watch
