The initiative is expected to create a sovereign Canadian capability to maintain and upgrade its future fleet of F-35s. It also promises to deliver significant economic benefits through the creation and retention of high-value jobs across the country.
Canada’s decision to acquire F-35 fifth-generation fighter aircraft is a central element in its broader effort to modernise national defence capabilities. “L3Harris’ commitment to supporting Canada’s defence is at the heart of all we do,” said Rich Foster, Vice President, L3Harris Canada.
L3Harris has nearly four decades of experience supporting the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) and has played a key role in sustaining Canada’s CF-188 Hornet fleet. Since the early 1980s, the company has led structural life extension and avionics modernisation programmes that extended the operational life of the aircraft by 20 to 25 years.
In 2022, L3Harris was awarded a performance-based contract to continue providing in-service support for the CF-188 fleet until the F-35 becomes fully operational in 2032. This contract extended the longstanding relationship between the company and the RCAF.
The company’s Fighter Aircraft Depot in Mirabel, Quebec, along with its 12 other sites across Canada, provides support to both domestic and international customers. Its ISS team includes more than 1,000 employees, with over 250 embedded directly in RCAF squadrons and key defence organisations.
L3Harris is aligned with Canada’s “Strong, Secure, Engaged” and “Our North, Strong and Free” defence policies through its commitment to innovation and operational readiness. “As we look to the next generation of aircraft, including the F-35 Lighting II, we look forward to continuing our legacy of sustaining the capabilities of the RCAF,” added Foster.
With a strong track record in fighter aircraft sustainment, competitive pricing, and execution excellence, L3Harris is well-positioned to support Canada’s transition to the F-35 platform.
Source: L3Harris Technologies.
