The United States has warned that it may be forced to increase military operations in Canadian airspace if Ottawa backs away from its planned purchase of 88 F-35 fighter jets, raising the possibility of changes to the decades-old North American Aerospace Defense Command agreement.

U.S. Ambassador to Canada Pete Hoekstra cautioned that a reduction or cancellation of the F-35 deal would create security gaps that the United States would need to address, potentially by acquiring additional aircraft for its own forces and conducting more frequent operations over Canada. While NORAD already allows both countries to operate in one another’s airspace to intercept threats, Hoekstra suggested the current framework may no longer be sufficient if Canada alters its fighter procurement plans.

“NORAD would have to be altered,” Hoekstra said in remarks to CBC News, signaling that changes to the Cold War-era agreement could be required if Canada fields aircraft deemed less interoperable with U.S. forces.

Canada agreed in 2022 to purchase 88 F-35A fighter jets from Lockheed Martin, initially committing funding for 16 aircraft. However, the program has faced delays and rising costs. A 2025 audit found the total cost had climbed to $27.7 billion, up from the original estimate of $19 billion, prompting the Canadian government to review the deal.

The reassessment comes amid growing tensions between Washington and Ottawa, including tariff threats from U.S. President Donald Trump. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has called for a closer look at major defense expenditures, while officials have begun exploring alternative suppliers.

One potential alternative is Sweden’s Saab, which has offered its JAS 39 Gripen E fighter jets along with a proposal to manufacture them in Canada, a move that could create an estimated 12,600 jobs. Canadian Industry Minister Mélanie Joly emphasized that defense investments must balance national security needs with domestic economic benefits.

Hoekstra warned that choosing a different aircraft could complicate joint defense operations, arguing that alternatives would not match the interoperability of the F-35. He said the United States would then need to determine how to compensate for the resulting capability gap.

The remarks reflect broader efforts by the Trump administration to pressure allies on defense and security matters, reinforcing Washington’s expectation that partners align closely with U.S. military systems and strategic priorities.