The F-35 fighter jet is one of the most hotly debated purchases in recent Canadian history. These U.S.-made planes come with a hefty price tag and are politically charged.

Rising trade tensions with the U.S., along with questions about Canada’s sovereignty, initiated a review of the purchase in the spring. But for the time being , Canada has contractually committed to buying 16 F-35s, with the option to purchase up to 88 of the fifth-generation stealth fighter jets.

“The F-35 is the most capable, it's the most survivable, and it's the most lethal [fighter jet],” said Chauncey McIntosh, vice-president and general manager at Lockheed Martin, which runs the F-35 program.

Buying the full complement of F-35s would be the largest investment in the Royal Canadian Air Force in more than 30 years, with a price tag of $27.7 billion — up from $19 billion cited in 2023, after a report from the auditor general .

Canada's enduring commitment to the F-35 remains contentious, particularly in light of U.S. President Donald Trump's repeated taunts this year about Canada becoming the 51st state. But the production of one of these jets actually reflects the highly integrated nature of the Canadian and American economies, with parts from both crossing the border before ending up in the final product.

“Canada has been a part of this program from the beginning," said McIntosh. He’s referring to Canada’s involvement in the creation of the jet from its inception in the late 1990s, as well as the various parts made here — and all the people that employs as a result.

WATCH | A closer look at the Canadian content in F-35 jets: Canada’s role in building American F-35 fighter jets | Duration 9:22 Rising U.S.