Canada is exploring the purchase of fighter drones to operate with its F-35 jets, potentially investing up to $16 billion in emerging combat drone technology.
Defence Officials Explore Drone-Fighter Jet Integration
The Department of National Defence (DND) is studying the potential acquisition of uncrewed combat drones designed to operate alongside the Canadian Armed Forces’ incoming fleet of F-35 fighter jets. Documents obtained by Maple News Wire reveal a significant shift in Canada’s air defence strategy, as officials evaluate emerging technology that could reshape the future of aerial combat.
High-Tech Drones Could Boost Air Power and Flexibility
Known as collaborative combat aircraft, the drones are envisioned as smaller, cost-effective support units that would fly in tandem with piloted jets, carrying out roles such as surveillance, jamming, decoy operations, and even weapons delivery. By reducing the need to risk human pilots in dangerous missions and expanding tactical flexibility, the drones could serve as force multipliers for the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF).
Price Tag Could Reach $16 Billion
Preliminary cost estimates suggest the procurement could run as high as $16 billion, requiring hundreds of personnel to operate and maintain the systems. However, defence experts stress that this figure is at the upper end, and no firm commitments have been made. The initiative remains in a research and exploration phase, with procurement contingent on further analysis and international collaboration.
Global Allies Already Developing Similar Systems
Several NATO partners are already pursuing similar technologies. The U.S., Australia, and European nations are developing prototypes, such as Boeing’s MQ-28A Ghost Bat and General Atomics’ YFQ-42. These drones are currently in or approaching flight testing phases, though no country is expected to deploy them before 2030.
“Canada’s allies are going this route,” said David Perry, president of the Canadian Global Affairs Institute. “Ottawa needs to understand how these systems will be used and how Canada can contribute.”
Strategic Advantages in Modern Warfare
Analysts point to lessons from recent global conflicts, including the war in Ukraine, where swarms of drones and missiles have overwhelmed traditional defences. “Drones offer a way to increase numbers on the battlefield without the cost of additional fighter jets,” Perry noted. “It’s about creating enough mass to overwhelm enemy systems.”
Defence Policy Includes Drone Exploration
Canada’s most recent defence policy update, Our North, Strong and Free (2024), includes a commitment to explore surveillance and strike drone capabilities. The internal analysis ruled out a fully Canadian-made drone but highlights opportunities for domestic aerospace firms to participate in development and production through international partnerships.
No Final Decision Yet on Drone Procurement
The federal government is expected to make a decision on the drone acquisition project by the end of summer, following a broader review of the F-35 procurement plan initiated in March amid trade tensions with the U.S.
Canada has committed to purchasing 88 F-35 jets at an estimated cost of $27.7 billion, though only the first 16 have been financially secured so far. The integration of drone platforms could play a critical role in shaping Canada’s future air defence strategy.
RCAF Confirms Future-Focused Readiness
Lt.-Gen. Jamie Speiser-Blanchet, newly appointed commander of the RCAF, confirmed that autonomous and semi-autonomous drone systems are already being actively considered. “It is absolutely something that is on our radar and something that we need to be prepared for in the future,” she said.
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