Canada Sends First 2 CF-35 Jets to Arizona for Training

Sourced from 5 news outlets · most facts from statements · 2 points in dispute. How we sourced this

Canada’s first two CF-35A Lightning II fighter jets have arrived at Luke Air Force Base in Arizona, marking the start of the Royal Canadian Air Force’s transition toward its next fighter fleet.

Key facts

• The two CF-35A jets arrived at Luke Air Force Base on Oct. 22, 2026.
• The jets are being used to support RCAF training, with Canada planning to base its first eight CF-35s at Luke for training in 2026 and 2027.
• Canada’s planned F-35A fleet is for 88 aircraft, intended to replace the Royal Canadian Air Force’s CF-18 Hornets.
• Prime Minister Mark Carney has launched and paused a review of how many F-35s Canada will buy, and the total number has not been confirmed.

Read the original document: Government of Canada, linked by theaviationist.com.

The aircraft arrived on Oct. 22, 2026, and will support RCAF training in the United States.

CF-35 training at Luke Air Force Base

Canada plans to base its first eight CF-35s at Luke during 2026 and 2027 for training. The Arizona base will support training for Canadian personnel learning to operate and support the new aircraft.

“The future of air and space power is built on more than equipment alone,” the RCAF said in a social-media statement. “We are developing the skilled people, integrated capabilities, and modern tools we need to meet future challenges at home and abroad.”

They are the first aircraft in a planned fleet meant to replace the RCAF’s CF-18 Hornets.

An 88-jet plan under review

Canada’s F-35A plan was built around 88 aircraft, but the final size of the purchase remains unsettled.

Prime Minister Mark Carney has launched and paused a review of how many F-35s Canada will ultimately buy, leaving the total unconfirmed. Canada has made a legal funding commitment for 16 aircraft and has begun payments for 14 more while the broader contract review continues.

Deliveries under the first order are expected to continue until 2030.

First CF-35 arrivals in Canada planned for 2028

The first CF-35s are expected to arrive in Canada in 2028, after the training effort in Arizona is underway.

The fleet is expected to reach initial operational capability by the end of 2030, with full operational readiness planned for the end of 2034.

What we don't know yet

• The RCAF has not immediately said when it will start training pilots with the new planes.
• Canada has not yet confirmed how many F-35s it will ultimately buy.

How outlets covered it

• theaviationist.com — “Canada Receives Its First Two CF-35A Fighters at Luke Air Force Base”, Oct. 26, 2026. By Stefano D'Urso. Led with the arrival of the first two Canadian CF-35s at Luke Air Force Base. Quoted Secretary of State for Defense Procurement Stephen Fuhr; a spokesperson. Not in the other reports here: the F-35 training curriculum's academic, simulator and flying-hour requirements; Canada's Level 3 F-35 partnership since 2002.
• Canadian Defence Review — “RCAF Receives First F-35 Fighters at Luke Air Force Base”, Oct. 26, 2026. Led with the RCAF receiving its first two CF-35A fighter jets. Quoted RCAF. Not in the other reports here: Saab's planned Canadian production capacity for Gripen fighters for Ukraine; a proposed 60-F-35A and 40-Gripen E mixed fleet.
• The Canadian Press (carried by Brandon Sun) — “Canada receives its first F-35 jets from U.S., as full order remains under review”, Oct. 25, 2026. Led with Canada receiving its first pair of F-35 fighter jets while the total purchase remains under deliberation. Quoted U.S. Ambassador Pete Hoekstra; former foreign minister Lloyd Axworthy. Not in the other reports here: Donald Trump's comments about supplying allies with limited-capability jets.
• defence-industry.eu — “Canada receives first two F-35 fighters as planned 88-aircraft fleet begins taking shape”, Oct. 24, 2026. Led with the delivery of the first two F-35A fighters for personnel training at Luke Air Force Base. Quoted RCAF. Not in the other reports here: plans to add six Saab GlobalEye airborne early warning and control aircraft; a potential year-end GlobalEye production contract.
• defence-blog.com — “Canada gets its first two CF-35A stealth fighters”, Oct. 24, 2026. By Colton Jones. Led with the RCAF taking delivery of its first two CF-35A stealth fighters. Quoted Royal Canadian Air Force; Defense Minister David McGuinty.

How we sourced this story

How we put this together: we compare reporting from the outlets above, draft with the help of AI tools, and an editor checks every story before it's published. Our methodology.