Sources in the Canadian defence industry, including a representative of L3Harris, said the company’s Mirabel facility is increasingly likely to be chosen for part of the U.S. maintenance workload. Richard Foster, vice-president of L3Harris Technologies Canada, said, “They see this as a win-win for the defence of North America, with Canada stepping up its game for NORAD and assisting the U.S. with surplus capacity to service F-35s when required.”
Foster said the presence of U.S. aircraft is essential for the site’s commercial future as Canada begins retiring the CF-18 fleet now supported in Mirabel. He said, “We would like to have everything in place to accept the first U.S. F-35s by 2028-29,” adding, “Those timelines would obviously have to be negotiated government to government, but from a business perspective, that’s what we would like to see.”
L3Harris was designated Canada’s strategic partner for F-35 maintenance last year, though the government’s fighter plans remain under review. Advocates of the F-35 argue that the broader economic gains depend on purchasing all 88 jets, while Ottawa is currently committed to only 16.
The government is also assessing a possible switch to Saab’s Gripen, which the manufacturer says could be assembled in Canada. Much of the debate centres on the aircrafts’ technical performance and the economic impact each option could bring.
Canada expects to begin receiving its first F-35s next year, with no major maintenance needed until 2031, according to Foster. He said Canadian aircraft would likely fill five of the 24 maintenance bays planned for the site.
Lockheed Martin representatives are due to visit Mirabel this week as L3Harris continues to push for capital upgrades. Foster said improvements would cost up to $200 million, mainly to strengthen security, and that the company is seeking federal and provincial funding to support 1,500 direct and 3,500 indirect jobs.
For the project to advance, industry sources say Canada must buy all 88 jets and the United States must agree to use Mirabel as an overflow depot when its North Carolina and Utah sites are full. Italy, Japan and Australia already operate regional F-35 maintenance centres.
A source familiar with the talks said a full Canadian order “helps [L3Harris] make the case to take on additional U.S. jets as a North American regional depot.” Lobbying records show that Lockheed Martin and L3Harris have recently held several meetings with senior federal officials, including within the Industry Department.
Industry Minister Mélanie Joly said Ottawa is weighing a move to the Gripen should Lockheed Martin fail to improve its economic offer for Canada. “I don’t believe that we’ve had enough jobs created and industrial benefits done out of the F-35 contract,” she said. “I think Canadians expect more, and we should get more.”
Lockheed Martin has said benefits will reflect the size of Canada’s order and warned they will “shrink if Canada ultimately purchases fewer than 88 aircraft.” Company vice-president Kristen Leroux said Lockheed Martin is ready to support the government’s goal “to grow and position a sovereign Canadian defence industry as an economic driver.”
Quebec is monitoring the Mirabel proposal while also considering the potential advantages of buying Gripen aircraft. Catherine Pelletier, spokesperson for Economy Minister Christine Fréchette, said the choice of fighter jet lies with Ottawa but added, “We want projects that will benefit Quebec.”
Source: CBC/Radio-Canada.
