Is an 88-jet fleet already out of date?

In 2017, 88 jets were seen as ‘just enough’ for Canada to fulfill its obligations. Now, penny pinching has been replaced by a concern about how to spend at speed.

Defence Minister David McGuinty. The fighter jet review must recognize that the budgetary constraints that informed the limit of 88 are gone, writes Michael P.A. Murphy. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Opinion

BY MICHAEL P.A. MURPHY

December 17, 2025

The ongoing review of fighter jet procurement is now front and centre in the national conversation. Most of this debate has been focused on the jet of choice. However, before this review completes, it is critical that we also consider the number of fighter...

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