Future Fighter Capability Project

Progress - Strong, Secure, Engaged Commitments

Question

Why does the Government refuse to accelerate the competition for a new fighter jet to ensure Canada has a modern fighter fleet that is fully operational by 2025, while bringing much needed jobs to the Canadian economy?

• A modern fighter aircraft is critical to protecting North American airspace and meeting defence and security challenges abroad.
• This is why we launched an open and transparent competition to acquire 88 new advanced aircraft.
• All three eligible Suppliers met the July 31, 2020, deadline to submit proposals.
• The rigorous selection process is already underway and we expect to announce the contract award in 2022.
• This project will leverage Canadian capabilities while supporting the growth of Canada’s aerospace and defence industries for decades.
• We will continue to ensure this project delivers the capabilities the Royal Canadian Air Force needs, while providing economic benefits for Canada.

Quick Facts

Project Information:

• Total estimated project budget: $15-19B.
• Delivery of first aircraft: as early as 2025.
• Eligible Supplier Teams:
  • Sweden-Saab;
  • United States-Boeing; and
  • United States-Lockheed Martin.
• Construction of future fighter facilities:
  • A $12.1 million design contract for a future fighter facility in Bagotville was announced on September 28, 2020.
  • A $9.2 million design contract for a future fighter facility in Cold Lake was announced on August 27, 2020.
  • Construction on both facilities is estimated to begin in 2022.

Economic Benefits:

• The project has been designed to incentivize significant economic benefits to Canadian industry.
• It is anticipated that the construction of future fighter facilities will generate over 900 jobs.

GBA+:

• Canada’s Industrial and Technological Benefits Policy on Defence Procurement now requires submission of Gender and Diversity Plans as part of the value proposition submission for projects of this scale.

Regarding Canada’s continued Participation in the Joint Strike Fighter Program:

• Approximately $713 million (USD $541.3M) spent since 1997 to participate in the program.
• Most recent program payment $98.3 million (USD $70.1M) (made on May 1, 2020).
• $2.6 billion (USD $2.0B) in contracts secured by Canadian companies as of June, 2020.

Responsible Principals: Assistant Deputy Minister (Materiel), Royal Canadian Air Force

February 26, 2021

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