After Portugal, Canada now wants to get rid of US F-35 fighter jets. Canadian Defence Minister Bill Blair announced a few hours after his reappointment to Prime Minister Mark Carney's new cabinet that the country is looking for
other options. Canada has an order outstanding for F-35s worth some $19 billion. A majority of Canadians want to get rid of this, as the southern neighbour has proved to be a highly unreliable partner. In total, Canada has ordered 88 fighter jets, 16 of which have already been paid for. According to Blair, Canada is now looking at supplementing the rest of the fleet with aircraft of European make, such as the Swedish Saab Gripen. On Friday, Portugal preceded Canada in saying it no longer wants the F35, formerly known as the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF). Portugal's defence minister gave the unpredictable behaviour of US President Trump as the reason.