Canada’s first F-35A fighter completes maiden flight in Texas

The first F-35A fighter jet destined for the Royal Canadian Air Force completed its maiden flight on September 23, 2026. The aircraft, identified as AR-1, took off from the Lockheed Martin facility in Fort Worth, Texas.

This flight marks a milestone in Canada’s Future Fighter Capability Project, which aims to replace the aging CF-188 Hornet fleet. While the aircraft features Royal Canadian Air Force markings, it will not immediately move to Canada. The first eight jets are scheduled to remain at Luke Air Force Base in Arizona to facilitate pilot and maintenance training.

The first aircraft is expected to arrive on Canadian soil in 2028, with full operational capability projected for 2030. Future operations are expected to be based at 4 Wing Cold Lake in Alberta and 3 Wing Bagotville in Quebec.

Despite the technical progress, the acquisition remains under political review. The Canadian government is currently assessing the planned 88-jet fleet to determine if a mixed fighter fleet might be a more effective option than the original single-type acquisition plan.