Canada is committed to modernizing its capabilities to defend the nation and contribute to the defence of North America. A significant part of this modernization includes the acquisition of a fleet of F-35 fifth-generation fighter aircraft. For almost four decades, the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) has trusted L3Harris to provide expert and industry-leading in-service support (ISS) for the sustainment of its fighter aircraft fleet.
In late 2024, L3Harris was identified as a “Strategic Partner” to work with the Government of Canada, Lockheed Martin and the F-35 Joint Program Office (JPO) to investigate requirements for an F-35 maintenance, repair, overhaul and upgrade facility. The partnership will provide a clear path forward for setting up and maintaining the capability to secure future F-35 program opportunities in Canada and North America. This initiative would provide Canada with a sovereign capability to maintain and upgrade its own fleet of F-35s and produce significant economic benefits by creating and sustaining high-value jobs across Canada.
Working with Canada on the F-35 builds on L3Harris’ partnership with the RCAF, which has grown significantly in recent years, reflecting on the company’s commitment to support Canada’s “Strong, Secure, Engaged” and “Our North, Strong and Free” defence policies.
L3Harris has been supporting the RCAF’s fighter aircraft fleet for almost 40 years. Canada acquired the CF-188 Hornet fleet in the early 1980s and secured the necessary aircraft data access rights, allowing for a national approach to fleet sustainment. This positioned L3Harris to support the RCAF with significant fleet structural life extension and avionics modernization programs, which ultimately extended the operational life of the aircraft by 20-25 years and expanded the value of Canada’s investment.
In 2022, L3Harris’ journey with Canada’s Hornet was extended, following a performance-based contract award to continue to provide ISS on the CF-188 fleet, until the incoming F-35 next-generation fighter aircraft becomes fully operational in 2032.
“L3Harris’ commitment to supporting Canada’s defence is at the heart of all we do,” said Rich Foster, Vice President, L3Harris Canada. “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.”
Over the years, L3Harris has provided unmatched support to the RCAF, and to other valuable international customers, from its Fighter Aircraft Depot located in Mirabel, Quebec, as well as from its 12 other operating sites across Canada. The ISS team is comprised of over 1,000 committed employees, including over 250 specialized personnel embedded within RCAF squadrons at 10 operational bases across Canada and within the Weapon Systems Management organizations in National Defence Headquarters. They work side-by-side with the RCAF to help maintain operational readiness in support of Canada’s defence mandate.
Given the company’s fighter aircraft credentials, commitment to competitive pricing, customer focus and execution excellence, L3Harris is well-positioned to continue its fighter sustainment legacy on Canada’s next fighter aircraft, the F-35 Lighting II.
