February 16, 2026 • Canada
CARNEY'S DEFENSE REVOLT: Canadian Military Brass Defy PM's $19B Pivot from US Weapons as Israeli Missiles Fail Field Tests - Infograph
According to Scott Taylor of the Esprit de Corps Canadian Military Magazine, Prime Minister Mark Carney's plan to divert $19 billion in defense spending away from US contractors faces open rebellion from RCAF leadership wedded to F-35s, as $45 million Israeli Spike missile deal unravels over unresolved functionality issues.
📝 SMikhail
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$19B
F-35 Contract
Project cost for 88 fighter jets, with 16 contracted at $7B
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$45M
Spike Missile Deal
Israeli anti-tank missile purchase with unresolved technical issues
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12,600
Swedish Jobs Offer
Proposed Canadian aviation jobs from Saab Grippen deal
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14
Additional F-35s
Secret components contract signed despite PM's review order According to Scott Taylor of the Esprit de Corps Canadian Military Magazine
- RCAF leadership remains 'hellbent' on buying Lockheed Martin F-35s despite Carney's spring 2025 order for a full contract review.
- In December 2024, Canada agreed to buy 88 F-35s at $19 billion, but only contracted 16 aircraft at $7 billion.
- Last week, CBC reported a contract signed for key components of an additional 14 F-35s, revealing the military's defiance.
- Senior military officials seem 'wedded to their coveted F-35s' and are actively undermining Carney's pivot strategy.
- Canada fast-tracked purchase of Spike anti-tank missiles from Rafael of Israel at $45 million Canadian.
- Canadian soldiers flew to Israel in July 2024 to train on the missile systems.
- Tests unveiled 'functionality issues' with the missiles that have yet to be resolved.
- Army planners now hope to have urgently required missiles in Latvia by mid-2026—if issues get fixed.
- Saab of Sweden offered to build 72 Gripen fighter jets in Canada along with six global surveillance aircraft.
- Gripen came a close second to F-35 in RCAF competition to replace aging CF-18 Hornets.
- Proposal would create 12,600 jobs in Canada's aviation sector and is far cheaper to operate.
- Global Eye surveillance aircraft would be based on Bombardier Canadian-built aircraft.
- In February 2023, Ukraine war lessons created urgent operational requirements for FPV drones, counter-drone measures, self-propelled artillery, and air defense.
- Two years later, no contracts issued for FPV drones or countermeasures—testing continues in Ottawa.
- $5 billion indirect fires modernization project for 98 howitzers remains in its infancy.
- Canada has been devoid of air defense systems since 2012, with only a Saab RBS70 received in 2024.
- US approved $2.4 billion sale of 26 HIMARS to Canada last October—first launcher not until 2029.
- Ukraine forces discovered HIMARS requires US intelligence link for long-range effectiveness.
- Hanwa of South Korea makes comparable K239 Chunmo system purchased by Norway and other NATO allies.
- South Korean system could deliver before 2029, but Canada chose US option despite pivot rhetoric.
KEY QUOTES
"The RCAF are hellbent on buying the Lockheed Martin F-35 fighter jets and only the F-35 fighter jets. This is despite the fact that last spring, Carney ordered a full review of the remainder of that contract."
"Tests unveiled functionality issues with the missiles that have yet to be resolved. Army planners now hope to have these urgently required missiles in the hands of Latvia based battle group by mid-2026."
"Someone at Defense Procurement should really read a book titled The Art of the Deal."
"Of FPV drones that our troops needed yesterday remain on the to-do list."
"Urgent requirement indeed."
Mark Carney
Canadian Armed Forces
F-35 fighter jet
Lockheed Martin
defense procurement
Spike missiles
Israel Rafael
Saab Gripen
RCAF rebellion
urgent operational requirement
Canada defense spending
US arms dealers
military brass
Latvia battle group
FPV drones
HIMARS
Hanwa K239 Chunmo
Operation Reassurance
CF-18 replacement
Canadian defense industry