Question Period Note: Future Fighter Capability Project

As part of the Government of Canada’s reaffirmed commitment to invest in Canada’s military, as announced in the 2017 Defence Policy, Strong, Secure, Engaged, the Government launched an open and transparent competition in December 2017 to permanently replace Canada’s fighter fleet with 88 advanced jets—the Future Fighter Capability Project.

Notes:

• All questions related to capability gap, security and interoperability requirements, costs, and Canada’s participation in the Joint Strike Fighter Program should be answered by the Minister of National Defence
• All questions related to the Industrial and Technological Benefits Policy and the assessment of bidders’ impact on Canada’s economic interests should be answered by the Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development (ISED)
• All questions related to trade issues should be answered by the Minister of Foreign Affairs

• The Government is committed to ensuring that members of the Canadian Armed Forces have the equipment they need to do their jobs and protect Canadians, while maximizing economic benefits for the country
  • The Government delivered on its promise to launch an open and transparent competition to replace Canada's fighter fleet with 88 advanced jets, and we are making great progress
  • On July 31, 2020, Canada received proposals from the three eligible suppliers, and this competitive procurement process has entered its proposal evaluation phase
  • We continue to anticipate awarding a contract in 2022, with delivery of the first replacement aircraft as early as 2025

In June 2017, Canada’s Defence Policy confirmed a fleet size of 88 advanced fighter aircrafts to replace the current CF-18s. The Government launched a procurement process for the future fighter aircraft in December 2017. Officials conducted extensive industry engagement with suppliers to maximize the likelihood that Canada receives competitive proposals, and with Canadian industry to ensure that they are well positioned to participate in the procurement.

In November 2018, France-Dassault Aviation officially withdrew from the competitive process.

In July 2019, the request for proposal was shared with the eligible suppliers.

In August 2019, UK-Airbus also withdrew from the competition.

On October 4, 2019, Canada received Preliminary Security Offers from the remaining 3 eligible suppliers, outlining how the suppliers intend to meet Canada’s security and interoperability requirements. Canada completed the First Security Acceptability Assessment on these offers and provided significant feedback to suppliers on January 31, 2020. The feedback helped suppliers understand the scope of information required in their proposals for Canada’s assessment of their security offer.

Next steps

A dialogue phase may be conducted with 2 or more compliant bidders in 2021 so they can address, in revised proposals, any issues and risks that are identified during the evaluation phase. Canada will finalize the contract terms with the preferred bidder prior to contract award which is anticipated in 2022.

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