The Government of Canada is committed to supporting members of the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) in operating and maintaining the future CF-35A fighter aircraft fleet.
Today, the Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Public Services and Procurement and Quebec Lieutenant, and the Honourable Bill Blair, Minister of National Defence, announced that Canada has identified L3Harris MAS from Mirabel, Quebec, as its strategic partner to work with the Canadian government and the F-35 Joint Program Office (JPO) to investigate requirements for an F-35 airframe depot. This partnership will provide a means to progress timely discussions, including on the scope and costs associated with setting up and operating such a facility, and on how to best position Canada to demonstrate best value, to secure future opportunities in the F-35 enterprise.
This decision supports the long-term maintenance and operation of these new aircraft and brings Canada another step closer to delivering the infrastructure our aviators need for the future. It will help maintain sovereign capabilities in Canada and demonstrates the government's commitment to working more closely and in partnership with industry earlier in the acquisition process.
The Canadian aerospace in-service support industry is a national key industrial capability and ensures that Canadian military aircraft are ready to deliver missions to protect Canada and Canadians. This capability can also contribute to allied readiness and supports Canada's role as a reliable industrial partner in defence. The F-35 project opens the door for our world-class sustainment industry to continue to support the RCAF and also pursue opportunities with our allies.
The acquisition and initial sustainment for the CF-35A project has the potential to contribute over $425 million annually to Canada's gross domestic product and close to 3,300 jobs annually for Canadian industry and value chain partners over a 25-year period.
L3Harris MAS is the only supplier in Canada that has been conducting the full range of maintenance, repair and overhaul services for Canada's CF-188 Hornet fighter jet airframes. The company has proven experience with Canada's current CF-188 fleet and is an industrial leader in one of the world's largest aerospace clusters with a significant Canadian footprint. Based on these facts, Canada is confident that L3Harris MAS has the capability, capacity and extensive industrial network of suppliers, partners and recruiting sources required to enable the company to successfully manage airframe heavy maintenance depot work for the CF-35A enterprise.
Canada's defence policy, Our North, Strong and Free, establishes the Government of Canada's commitment to ensuring Canada has an agile, multi-purpose, well-equipped military by leveraging more flexible defence procurement strategies, securing supply chains and making investments to modernize defence infrastructure.
