“If Canada is no longer going to provide that capability, then we have to fill those gaps,” he added. The ambassador said choosing a platform he described as “inferior” and less interoperable than the F-35 would force Washington to rethink its defence posture. The comments have drawn criticism in Canada, where some experts see them as heavy-handed political pressure. Meanwhile, Sweden’s Saab has renewed its bid to supply Canada with 72 Gripen E/F fighter jets along with six GlobalEye airborne surveillance aircraft. Saab argues that the package would diversify Canada’s defence procurement while boosting its aerospace sector.