The Joint Strike Missile will equip Canada’s F-35 fleet, giving it the ability to carry internally stand-off weapons.
Canada has chosen Kongsberg’s Joint Strike Missile (JSM) as its new air-to-surface standoff weapon. The $564 million award, according to a Jul. 8, 2026 press release from the Norwegian company, makes Canada the sixth operator of the weapon, following Norway, Japan, Australia, the U.S., and Germany.
Kongsberg said the integration of the JSM into “Canada’s next-generation fighter will provide the Royal Canadian Air Force with a critical operational advantage.” The company has also laid out a broader local defense industrial investment within Canada in line with its Industrial and Technology Benefits (ITB) Policy.
“KONGSBERG today also announced investments in Canada, through the country’s Industrial and Technological Benefits (ITB) Policy”, said the press release. “These are aimed at creating long-term industrial capacity by stimulating job creation, the development of dual-use technologies and strengthening the defence industry through collaboration between industry and academia.”
Canada and Norway’s @KOGDefence have announced a NOK 4.7 billion contract for the delivery of JSM (Joint Strike Missile) cruise missiles, making the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) the sixth operator of the air-launched missiles.
Full article:… pic.twitter.com/X3Tb3IXzYQ
— 𝕻𝖗𝖆𝖎𝖘𝖊 𝕿𝖍𝖊 𝕾𝖙𝖊𝖕𝖍 (@praisethesteph) July 10, 2026
Kongsberg’s CEO Erik Lie said the company is “pleased to welcome Canada as the sixth country to select the JSM. The acquisition of the Joint Strike Missile can fundamentally improve the operational range and effectiveness of Canada’s fighter fleet. In addition to delivering world-class defence technology, KONGSBERG is committed to contributing to industrial growth in the country.”
With a weight of 416 kg and a length of four meters, the JSM flies at high-subsonic speeds, and has a range in excess of 350 km (189 nautical miles). The weapon is equipped with a highly accurate navigation system that allows a low altitude flight profile.
Kongsberg further says the JSM uses an advanced mission planning system to exploit sea and land geography. Automatic Target recognition is supported by an advanced Imaging infrared seeker.
🇨🇦 Canada has awarded a contract to the Norwegian company Kongsberg for the procurement of the Joint Strike Missile (JSM) air-launched cruise missile worth 420 million €. https://t.co/luH8X3F9V8 pic.twitter.com/CSL9SRlcHv
— Jeff2146🇧🇪 (@Jeff21461) July 9, 2026
Canada and U.S.-made F-35
The JSM, an air-to-ground derivative of Kongsberg’s anti-ship Naval Strike Missile (NSM), is the only air-launched weapon in its class that can be carried internally by the F-35. The U.S.-made JASSM and LRASM can only be carried externally, since they are too large for the Lightning II’s internal weapons bays.
However, a major diplomatic fallout between Ottawa and Washington put a cloud over the fighter jet’s buy. PM Mark Carney’s government has been considering buying only 16 jets it has paid for and not the full fleet of 88.
Canada in 2023 inked a 19-billion Canadian dollar (USD13 billion) deal to buy 88 F-35As, with deliveries beginning in 2026 and the fleet expected to achieve full operational capability by 2034. Voices in Canada’s defense and strategic community have advised that a small F-35 fleet would be logistically and tactically even more unsound, while a certain section has pressed for leaving the program altogether.
F-35A + Joint Strike Missile (JSM) = Maritime dominance for #Norway and #Japan 😉 The long-range JSM, is the only 5th-generation cruise missile designed to be launched from the internal weapons bay of an F-35. It was successfully tested last February. #avgeeks #aviation #news pic.twitter.com/VN3zzfVOv3
— Air Power (@RealAirPower1) December 16, 2022
It must be noted that Canada has still not made a final decision on the F-35. As we have seen with other allies having an on-again-off-again relationship with the U.S, Canada might just continue a defense commercial relationship with Washington within a cooperative military alliance, while still diverging on key foreign policy issues.
Other recent non-U.S. defense buys
At the same time, Carney has seriously indicated – while remaining non-committal overall – an interest in the Saab Gripen. The push has also come from the Swedish defense major itself, which has characteristically promised significant local industrial and employment benefits. A major indicator was the Gripen participating in May’s CANSEC 2026 exhibition, and the ruling Liberal Party’s MP Sima Acan entering its cockpit.
However, Carney has definitively decided on other major capital weapons. These include Saab’s GlobalEye AEW&C aircraft – also based on the Canadian Bombardier Global 6500 – which was selected over the Boeing E-7A Wedgetail.
“Ottawa plans to spend over $5 billion on a fleet of six aircraft. By choosing the Saab/Bombardier offer, the Carney government hopes to make Canada a hub for the Swedish manufacturer’s ‘airborne radars’ by building approximately forty surveillance aircraft on Canadian soil, which could then be sold to NATO member countries,” La Presse reported. NATO itself recently selected the GlobalEye to replace the older E-3 AWACS fleet.
A record crowd of 21,300 registered for the annual military trade show Cansec, where Mark Carney announced billions in new spending and attendees could sit in a Gripen fighter. https://t.co/zZtbNjjuAw pic.twitter.com/PqeeCZn40c
— The Logic (@the_logic) May 29, 2026
Lastly, Canada will also soon acquire nine (four new and five used) Airbus A330-200 aerial refuellers, designated as the CC-330 Husky, to replace the current CC-150 Polaris. Acquired under the Strategic Tanker Transport Capability effort, the first of CC-330 Husky completed its first test flight in Spain on Jul. 2, 2026.
Milestone reached for the Strategic Tanker Transport Capability. ✅
On July 2, the first CC-330 Husky completed its first test flight in Spain, allowing teams to assess design, performance, and safety. https://t.co/V2kvjM9jkj pic.twitter.com/LRNoJuRwh7
— National Defence (@NationalDefence) July 6, 2026
The JSM therefore comes close on the heels of Canada’s newfound defense strategic relationship with non-U.S. regions like Europe. A Saab Gripen acquisition is also unlikely to see any integration issues with the JSM, given both platforms’ European origins.
However, it remains to be seen if the Royal Canadian Air Force’s (RCAF) 70-75 CF-188A/B+ jets will carry the JSM, given diplomatic clearance and technical approval from the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM), Boeing.
