Canada Definitely Chooses the F35: Aircraft Supplier for Over 80 Years with Lockheed Martin | Saab Gripen disappointed Lockheed Martin responded to a tender for the F-35 Lightning II for Canada's Future Fighter Capability Project. The F-35 is the most advanced and inexpensive fighter to replace the Canadian Air Force's CF-18 fleet. We have supplied aircraft to the Royal Canadian Air Force for over 80 years and Lockheed Martin is proud of the F-35 Lightning II delivering the most advanced technological capabilities at ever lower cost to the taxpayer, delivering enormous economic benefits to the aerospace industry and Canada. ... ... defense industry. The F-35 enhances Canada's operational capabilities with our allies. Canada's participation in the Joint Strike Fighter Program began in 1997, allowing the country to be part of a series of fighters that are recapitalizing the three fighter fleets of the United States, as well as many allied nations. In a recent press confe...