Defence Minister David McGuinty today announced a new $4 billion investment for the “Future Fighter Capability Project” at Cold Lake, Alta., which is dedicated to transitioning Canada’s fleet of CF-18 fighter jets to the American-made F-35.

The Liberal government has committed to purchasing 16 F-35 fighter jets made by American arms company Lockheed Martin, but has been reviewing plans to purchase more for over 18 months.

Asked at a press conference at CFB Edmonton if the new investment signalled a step towards purchasing a full fleet of 88 jets, McGuinty stressed that Canada was committed to buying 16 jets and that the aircraft require “highly sophisticated” infrastructure.

“The question of where we’re going next is under review,” he said. “We’re going to take the time we need to make sure that this is gotten right.”

The review was announced amid Canada’s ongoing trade war with the United States and President Donald Trump’s repeated threats to turn Canada into the “51st” American state.

The F-35 in particular has become a flash point due to Canada’s heavy military dependency on the U.S. and the fact that the American president could choose to block software updates for Canadian jets.

Last month, the Ottawa Citizen reported that the new F-35s will also require Canada to establish a special security force to protect the aircraft and their components, which remain U.S. property until they are installed into the planes.

Meanwhile, The Globe and Mail reported that U.S. Republican operatives met with Alberta separatists ahead of the province’s referendum on the issue of independence later this month, further raising concerns about American threats to Canadian sovereignty.

In July, however, McGuinty said that he sees “very little daylight” between Canada and the U.S. on military and intelligence affairs.

Asked today if he stands by that statement and if he sees the Americans as posing any military threat to Canada, the defence minister said he draws “a distinction between the performative nature of politics and the military-to-military relationships between Canada and the United States.”

“I’m in regular touch with different folks in the United States. We are cooperating on many different areas. That continues. That will continue.”

“I have confidence in that relationship,” he added.