The intense public relations battle surrounding Canada's multi-billion dollar fighter jet replacement program has escalated with the leak of a confidential internal government document. Supporters of the American-built F-35 and the Swedish Gripen are clashing anew after Radio-Canada obtained and published a 2021 Department of National Defence (DND) report that scored the technical capabilities of both aircraft.
The Leaked Document and Its Contents
On November 26, 2025, Radio-Canada reported it had obtained the DND's technical scoring statistics from the original bid evaluation. The confidential document reportedly shows the Lockheed Martin F-35 dominated the Saab Gripen in assessments of technical and military capabilities. Defence industry analysts note the sensitivity of the leak, pointing out that even Saab, the manufacturer of the Gripen, had never seen this internal evaluation.
Analysts suggest the leak likely originated from individuals within DND and the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF), who have historically advocated for the F-35. They view the disclosure as a tactical move to apply additional pressure on Prime Minister Mark Carney to select the American aircraft. Alice Hansen, spokesperson for Defence Minister David McGuinty—who has frequently praised the F-35—stated the minister was not involved in releasing the internal records.
A Decision Long Delayed
Canada's fighter jet debate continues with no final decision from Prime Minister Carney's government. The choice, one of the largest military procurements in Canadian history, is between purchasing up to 88 U.S.-built F-35s or opting for the Swedish Gripen. Some analysts have also proposed a mixed fleet of both aircraft to meet the military's needs.
In mid-March 2025, Carney ordered a review of the F-35 purchase following sovereignty threats from U.S. President Donald Trump. To date, Canada is only committed to buying an initial 16 F-35s. The government has not released the results of an internal review of the purchase, which was due by the end of summer 2025.
Context and Reactions to the Scoring
The technical scoring itself was conducted by the RCAF, a branch that has consistently advocated for the F-35 for years. The leak's contents did not surprise most observers. In April 2024, the National Post reported allegations that the competition was "rigged right from the beginning" to select the F-35. Furthermore, on August 7, 2025, Reuters reported that the Canadian military was formally recommending proceeding with the proposed purchase of 88 F-35s.
Supporters of the F-35 point to the leaked scoring as undeniable proof of its superiority over the Gripen across key performance metrics. Conversely, proponents of the Saab Gripen have dismissed the 2021 internal report as outdated, arguing that it does not reflect more recent updates to the Gripen's offerings or consider broader factors like industrial benefits for Canada, long-term costs, and sovereignty.
The leak ensures the politically charged debate will remain at the forefront as Carney's government weighs a final decision with significant implications for Canada's military capability, aerospace industry, and international relations.
