It would make no sense to acquire just 16.
This is just to apply counter pressure on Trump admin to drop the 51st state shenanigans.
I mean RCAF either gets 5th gen for its arctic needs till 2050 (with belligerent Russia and possibly China later given NORAD with US) and beyond or it has to revisit 4.5 gen again to plug the squadron gap looming.
If the latter, then we should have already gone for the superbug, rafale or gripen already....when the first pause on F-35 was done previously.
Clownshow levels of procurement that Trump has salted now.
But it would make sense to diversify their air force to avoid worst outcome. Unlike Denmark which is a small nation with 5.5 mio people. Canada is much bigger and being extremely dependent on US, as things are going isn’t an option.
I have a rough gut guess that some 40-50% of the F35 orders might get cancelled, but still acquire enough to have a squadron as minimum (small countries far away from frontlines).
EF T5 might get more tractio. While T4 production might have To hold the ford.
or
LM will have to establish independent maintenance structure in EU with production, which means Turkeys production capability is going to be an important asset.