Future Fighter Capability Project

Explore the Future Fighter Capability Project (FFCP).

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Project at a glance

Overview
Acquiring advanced fighter aircraft to replace the Royal Canadian Air Force’s existing fleet of CF-18 fighters
Procuring
  • 88 advanced fighter jets, associated equipment and weapons
  • Set-up training
  • Sustainment services
Contract value
$15 to 19 billion
Status
Bid evaluation
Next steps
  • Evaluate proposals and negotiate agreement from 2020 to 2022
  • Anticipate contract award in 2022
  • First replacement aircraft delivered as early as 2025

Project description

The FFCP is acquiring 88 advanced jets, associated equipment and weapons, with set-up of training and sustainment services.

The Industrial and Technological Benefits Policy and the Value Proposition apply to this procurement. All bidders are required to provide industrial targets in Canada equal to the value of their contracts. Bidders are also required to provide plans detailing how they will fulfill the Government of Canada’s economic benefits requirements, including supporting jobs and growth in Canada’s aerospace and defence industries over the coming decades. Maximum points in the evaluation of Value Propositions will be given to those that provide contractual guarantees.

The process is being reviewed by both an independent fairness monitor and an independent third-party reviewer.

Current status

On July 31, 2020, the Government of Canada received bids from all three suppliers currently eligible to participate in the future fighter competitive procurement process:

An eligible supplier team may withdraw from the suppliers list at any time by notifying the Government of Canada in writing. The following teams have withdrawn from the competition and are therefore no longer eligible to participate in the process:

Procurement progress and engagement

The procurement is being completed through an open, fair and transparent competitive process.

2017

2018

  • An open information session was held on January 22 to inform foreign governments and industry about responding to the Suppliers List Invitation, and provide an opportunity for Canadian industry to network with foreign governments and fighter aircraft manufacturers
    • The event, which provided information on how the Government of Canada plans to buy new jets, was well-received and well-attended, with over 200 participants from more than 80 companies and 7 countries taking part
    • The associated agenda and a copy of the opening remarks from this event are accessible
  • A list of eligible suppliers as defined in the Suppliers List Invitation was established in February
  • The Government of Canada met several times with each supplier to:
    • obtain feedback on requirements and the notional procurement approach
    • address their feedback and create a level playing field that maximizes competition while ensuring that Canadian requirements are met
    • discuss aircraft system engineering, sustainment infrastructure, economic benefits and the procurement approach
  • Preliminary security requirements documents were shared with eligible suppliers in September
  • A draft version of the RFP was released to eligible suppliers for their review and feedback in October
  • Eligible suppliers were invited to visit the Government of Canada’s main operating bases for a first-hand look at existing fighter operations and infrastructure

2019

  • A second draft of the RFP was released to eligible suppliers for their review and feedback in June
  • The Government of Canada released the formal RFP to eligible suppliers and invited them to demonstrate how they can meet Canada’s future fighter capability requirements in July
  • Eligible suppliers were required to submit preliminary security offers for meeting Canada’s security and interoperability requirements by October 4

2020 and beyond

  • In January 2020, feedback was provided to eligible suppliers on their security offers, in order to help ensure that Canada receives competitive proposals that meet its technical, cost and economic benefits requirements
  • On February 24, the Government of Canada granted a 3-month extension to the RFP deadline at the request of industry
  • On May 6, 2020 at the request of industry, the Government of Canada granted another month extension to the proposal submission deadline as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on the industry. Eligible suppliers had until July 31, 2020 to submit their proposals
  • On July 31, 2020 the bid solicitation phase closed, proposals were received from all three eligible suppliers and the process entered the bid evaluation phase
  • Proposals are being rigorously assessed on elements of capability, cost and economic benefits
  • During the evaluation, a phased bid compliance process will be used to ensure that bidders have an opportunity to address non-compliance in their proposals related to mandatory criteria
  • Once the initial evaluation of proposals has been completed, Canada may enter into dialogue with two or more compliant bidders and request revised proposals
  • Canada will finalize terms with the preferred bidder prior to contract award anticipated in 2022. Delivery of the first aircraft is expected as early as 2025

Parallel consultations with Canadian industry and other stakeholders

Eligible suppliers are motivated to form partnerships with Canadian industry and post-secondary institutions in order to develop strong Value Propositions. Feedback on the Value Proposition approach was obtained through a Letter of Interest and engagement with industry.

Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) ensured that Canadian industry is well-informed on this important procurement. ISED can help support Canadian industry and stakeholders to explore potential partnership opportunities with prime contractors. Information on available resources for Canadian industry.

April to May 2018 – ISED conducted regional forums across the country with the help of National Defence, Public Services and Procurement Canada and Canada’s regional development agencies. Representatives from more than 250 Canadian companies and 50 universities and research institutions participated. This regional forum presentation is accessible.

August 2019 – With support from the Canadian Association of Defence and Security Industries and the Aerospace Industries Association of Canada, an online information session was offered to provide a better understanding of the procurement process, timelines and the economic benefits approach, with a particular focus on priority areas where Canada will encourage investments. This economic benefits presentation is accessible.

CF-18 fleet sustainment

Until replacement aircraft are in place and fully operational, the Government of Canada is investing to continue to deliver its missions and meet international obligations until 2032 by purchasing 18 F/A-18 fighter aircraft, associated spare parts and equipment from the Government of Australia. Under the same agreement, the Government of Canada may also acquire up to 7 additional non-flyable fighter aircraft that can be used for testing, training aids or spare parts.

Upon their transfer to Canada, necessary aircraft inspections, maintenance and modifications are required to ensure the fighters meet all requirements of the Royal Canadian Air Force. On August 25, 2020, following a competitive process, a contract was awarded to transport the fighters to Canada.

As part of this project, work is also planned to free up hangar space and to provide the necessary infrastructure required to accommodate the additional aircraft in Cold Lake, Alberta, and Bagotville, Quebec. The additional aircraft will be maintained through existing fleet arrangements, and all aircraft are expected to be transferred to the Royal Canadian Air Force by the end of 2021.

Efforts are also underway to extend the service life of Canada’s existing CF-18 fighter aircraft. On June 16, 2020, the United States Government announced its intent to provide goods and services to support the extension project.

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