Canada is replacing its McDonnell Douglas CF-18 Hornet fleet with 88 Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II fighters, with the first aircraft set for delivery in 2026 and entry into Canadian service beginning in 2028. The decision reflects a clear operational reality: the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) can no longer sustain a fleet in which only around 40% of aircraft are mission-ready, while simultaneously meeting its NORAD and NATO commitments. As confirmed by the Government of Canada, the program represents the country’s most significant air power investment in more than 30 years. Based on fleet readiness data, Auditor General findings,…