Future Fighter Capability Project

2017

• The Government of Canada launched an open and transparent competitive process to acquire new fighter jets to replace the existing fleet
• The government began industry engagement as part of the competitive process

2018

• An open information session was held on January 22 to inform foreign governments and industry about responding to the Suppliers List Invitation, and to 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 request for proposal (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

• In January 2020, feedback was provided to eligible suppliers on their security offers, in order to help ensure that Canada received 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, 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 industry
  • Eligible suppliers had until July 31, to submit their proposals
• On July 31, the bid solicitation phase closed, proposals were received from all 3 eligible suppliers, and the process entered the bid evaluation phase

2021

On December 1, 2021, the Government of Canada announced that following evaluation of the proposals submitted, 2 bidders remained eligible under the FFCP competitive procurement process:

• Swedish government—SAAB AB (publ)—Aeronautics with Diehl Defence GmbH & Co. KG, MBDA UK Ltd., and RAFAEL Advanced Defence Systems Ltd.
• US government—Lockheed Martin Corporation (Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company) with Pratt & Whitney

2022

On March 28, 2022, following a rigorous evaluation of the proposals, the Government of Canada announced that it had entered into the finalization phase of the procurement process with the top ranked bidder, the US government and Lockheed Martin with Pratt & Whitney. The finalization phase continued for the next 8 months.

2023

On January 9, 2023, following the completion of the finalization phase, the Government of Canada announced that negotiations had successfully been concluded, and that it had reached an agreement with the US government and Lockheed Martin with Pratt & Whitney for 88 F-35 advanced fighter jets, associated equipment and weapons, set-up training and sustainment services.

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 resources is available 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 available.

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 available.