The US warns of increased NORAD activity in Canadian airspace if Ottawa cancels its F-35 fighter jets deal with Lockheed Martin.
The United States has warned that it may increase its military presence in Canadian airspace if Canada reduces or withdraws from its agreement to purchase 88 Lockheed Martin F-35 fighter jets.
The warning comes amid rising tensions over the costly defense program and Canada's consideration of alternative suppliers.
In a recent statement, US Ambassador to Canada Pete Hoekstra said that changes to the F-35 deal could force Washington to adjust the longstanding North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) agreement.
Under current terms, NORAD allows both the US and Canada to operate in each other’s airspace to monitor or intercept threats.
Ambassador Hoekstra cautioned that if Canada scales back its fighter jet purchase, the US would need to “fill those gaps” in security coverage, possibly by increasing its own deployment of F-35 fighter jets over Canadian territory.
“NORAD would have to be altered,” Hoekstra told CBC News. (more...)
US warns it may boost military flights if Canada drops F-35 deal
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