The Globe and Mail reports in its Tuesday, Oct. 27, edition that Canada has received its first two Lockheed Martin F-35 fighter jets while deciding how many more to purchase.
A Canadian Press dispatch to The Globe reports that the Royal Canadian Air Force did not immediately say when it will start training pilots with the new planes, which United States Ambassador Pete Hoekstra recently hailed as "the best fighter in the world."
Prime Minister Mark Carney has paused plans for 88 stealth fighter jets. Ottawa may consider a mixed fleet including Saab's Gripen jets.
Mr. Carney launched a review of the purchase amid U.S. President Donald Trump's repeated trade and annexation threats. The review was supposed to have concluded a year ago.
Last year, Mr. Trump mused about providing allies with jets that have limited capabilities in order to maintain American supremacy, and former foreign minister Lloyd Axworthy warned in a social-media post on Saturday that Washington controls software used by F-35 jets.
"The more you start to behave in that way, the more you attract regulation," Mr. Axworthy said. "And certainly all signs are indicating that they should be."
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