Lockheed-Martin

Canada has so far forked over more than $311 million to develop the F-35 — without any guarantee it will actually buy the multibillion-dollar stealth fighter.

The move comes after reports last month that the Liberals were considering buying Boeing Super Hornet fighter jets without a competition.

The possibility of being part of that process is murky, with the Liberal government having promised during last year’s election campaign that instead of buying the F-35's, it would have open bidding.