Canada Has Simple Message for the F-35 in 2 Words: Eurofighter Typhoon

Key Points: Canada’s plan to acquire 88 F-35 fighters faces uncertainty as political leaders, including PM Mark Carney, review the deal amid tensions with the US. This piece explores the Eurofighter Typhoon as a potential alternative.

-While Canada passed on the Typhoon previously, its strengths—agility, speed, and swing-role capability suitable for air policing—remain appealing.

Eurofighter Typhoon. Image Credit: Creative Commons.

-The F-35 offers superior stealth, strong NATO interoperability, North American support, and a slightly lower unit cost ($109M vs Typhoon’s $117M).

-However, operating a mixed fleet would be complex. Despite political friction potentially favoring European options, the F-35’s practical advantages might ultimately prevail.

Canada Might Dump the F-35 

The Canadians are smarting from President Donald Trump’s belligerence and insults. The trade war and talk of making Canada the 51st American state are taking their toll. Canadian shop owners and barkeeps do not sell American whiskey. Canadian tourists are reconsidering their travel plans to the United States, and politicians and newspaper editorial pages are competing to see who can be the most vocal in their support for Canada.

The F-35 Has Political Problems

This brings us to the American deal to sell F-35 Lightning II fighters to Canada. Lockheed Martin is licking its chops at such a large export agreement. After all, we are talking 88 stealth fighters going to the Great White North. But the current Prime Minister, Mark Carney, wants to review the dea,l and he could cancel it altogether should he win the election over Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre. Poilievre also intends to review the F-35 contract if he is elected Prime Minister.

Can Fighter Plane Diplomacy Still Work with Canada?

This does not bode well for the Americans and their stealth fighter, which is operated by 19 countries. The United States has been so adept at “fighter plane diplomacy” over the years. This is a gambit that improves international relations and sweetens the diplomatic pot by sending F-35s or other airplanes to friendly nations.

“You’re not just buying an airplane, you’re buying a relationship with the United States,” said Winslow T. Wheeler, a government watchdog on national security and defense issues. “People in the past have not just welcomed but craved that kind of relationship.”

Eurofighter Typhoon Could Be Picked Over the F-35

What if the Canadians do not buy F-35s and instead opt for another fighter? The Eurofighter Typhoon is one choice. Canada considered buying the Typhoon in 2019, but the air force decided to pass. The Typhoon was believed to be too expensive, and the manufacturing and supply chains were not focused on North America. 

Eurofighter Typhoon Fighter. Image Credit: Creative Commons.

The Eurofighter Typhoon is a capable fourth-generation jet. What it lacks in stealth, it makes up for in dog-fighting ability, speed, and maneuverability. The Typhoon would fit the Canadians well. The country needs a fighter that can conduct air policing of the country’s borders, and the Typhoon is perfect for that role.

The Typhoon Is Popular on the Export Market

As of 2024, there were 680 orders for the Typhoon from foreign militaries. Nine countries operate it. Five are European and are part of the Typhoon partnership in addition to Austria. Germany is the biggest customer, having made over 200 orders. Four air forces in the Middle East also fly it. Saudi Arabia and Turkey have placed the most orders. So, the Typhoon has some export history, and by all accounts, it does its job well.

The Europeans Hold the F-35 In High Esteem Too

However, the F-35 is very popular in Europe as well. The Netherlands, Denmark, Belgium, Norway, Switzerland, Finland, Romania, and Poland are operating the Lightning II. Lockheed Martin has done an excellent job marketing the fighter to NATO allies, emphasizing the stealthiness and interoperability with the United States and its allies.

Eurofighter.com claims the Typhoon is “fully interoperable with U.S. legacy platforms and provides modern air forces with a compelling strategic advantage in a combined multi-platform fleet.” Airbus explains that “The Eurofighter Typhoon is the world’s most advanced swing-role combat aircraft and it can easily switch from air-to-air to air-to-surface and back again within the same mission.”

The Canadians thus face a tough decision. They could go ahead with the F-35 purchase. Sixteen F-35s are on the way, as Canada has already paid for them. This poses problems because there would be difficulties when trying to fly both the F-35 and the Eurofighter Typhoon. The Canadian pilots would have to train on two airframes. Spare parts and maintenance support would also have to be sourced from Europe, rather than North America.

A German Air Force Pilot conducts preflight checks from the cockpit of a GAF Eurofighter Typhoon before a combat training mission during Red Flag-Alaska 12-2 June 11, 2012, at Eielson AFB, Alaska. Red Flag-Alaska is a Pacific Air Forces-sponsored, joint/coalition, tactical air combat employment exercise which corresponds to the operational capability of participating units. The entire exercise takes place in the Joint Pacific Range Complex over Alaska as well as a portion of Western Canadian for a total airspace of more than 67,000 square miles. (Department of Defense photo by U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Michael R. Holzworth/Released)

However, the Typhoon would have that valuable swing-role, which is perfect for Canada’s need to transition from air policing to attack mode in a single mission. If deployed overseas, the Typhoon could also deliver ground strike missions. On the other hand, the F-35 is stealthy, and many NATO allies fly it. Lockheed Martin makes them in Texas, so support and manufacturing supply chains would be close in proximity and not based overseas.

The price comparison between the two fighters is close. The F-35 runs about $109 million a uni,t while the Eurofighter is $117 million. This may influence Canada because in 2019, the offer from the Eurofighter consortium was seen as too pricey for the Canadian Air Force. 

It may ultimately be better for Canada to choose the F-35. The stealthiness of the jet speaks volumes, and it is a bit cheaper. Additionally, the F-35 can leverage U.S. supply chains and maintenance support, eliminating the need for Canada to seek these requirements in Europe. Canada thus faces a difficult decision, and the Eurofighter is an option they will consider. The Typhoon has enjoyed success on the export markets, and the European consortium is happy to make a large sale to the Canadians. We’ll just have to see if the F-35 can win the competition.

Eurofighter Typhoon

About the Author: Dr. Brent M. Eastwood

Brent M. Eastwood, PhD is the author of Don’t Turn Your Back On the World: a Conservative Foreign Policy and Humans, Machines, and Data: Future Trends in Warfare plus two other books. Brent was the founder and CEO of a tech firm that predicted world events using artificial intelligence. He served as a legislative fellow for U.S. Senator Tim Scott and advised the senator on defense and foreign policy issues. He has taught at American University, George Washington University, and George Mason University. Brent is a former U.S. Army Infantry officer. He can be followed on X @BMEastwood.