Jan 22, 2018 SOURCE: PR NewsWire

Government of Canada Hosts Future Fighter Industry Day in Ottawa

OTTAWA, Jan. 22, 2018 /CNW/ - Canada is building a highly capable, flexible military with the ability to operate closely with allies and partners. The competitive process to replace Canada's fighter fleet represents the most significant investment in the Royal Canadian Air Force in recent history.

Governments, defence, and aerospace industry representatives from around the world are in Ottawa this week to find out more about the competitive procurement process launched last month and now underway to replace Canada's fighter jet fleet.

Today's information session focused on providing participants with details about the planned procurement process and estimated schedule, high-level operational objectives of the future fighter capability, as well as the approach to sustainment and leveraging economic benefits.

In the coming weeks, Canada will establish a list of supplier teams, comprised of foreign governments and fighter aircraft manufacturers that have demonstrated their eligibility as defined in the Suppliers List invitation. All foreign government and commercial entities are welcome to participate in this process. Once the list is formalized, it will be posted to Buyandsell.gc.ca in spring 2018.

Engagement activities will be conducted over the coming months, through to spring 2019, when it is anticipated the government will begin soliciting proposals from eligible supplier teams. Through its engagement, the Government will ensure Canadian industry are well-positioned to participate in this process.

Proposals will be rigorously assessed on cost, technical requirements and economic benefits. The Industrial and Technological Benefits Policy will also be applied, requiring the winning supplier to make investments in Canada equal to the value of the contract. As it is important to do business with trusted partners, the evaluation of bids will also include an assessment of bidders' impact on Canada's economic interests. Consultations on this criteria, as well as guidelines for its application as an ongoing procurement tool, will be conducted through separate engagement activities later this year.

Quotes

"This engagement with potential suppliers is another important milestone in the process to replace Canada's fighter jet fleet. We are committed to working with industry and government partners to ensure this procurement is done right, so that Canada's Air Force has the equipment they need as quickly as possible. The success of this process depends on the participation of many stakeholders, and we are pleased with the response we have received from potential suppliers."

The Honourable Carla Qualtrough
Minister of Public Services and Procurement

"The Government of Canada must ensure the safety and security of Canadians. The discussions we are now having with industry and foreign governments will help assure we have the equipment our women and men in uniform need to protect our sovereignty."

The Honourable Harjit S. Sajjan
Minister of National Defence

"The procurement of Canada's next fighter aircraft presents a once in a lifetime opportunity for Canada's aerospace sector. We will work with Canadian industry to develop a strategy for leveraging economic benefits that will support innovation, grow the economy, and create middle-class jobs in Canada."

The Honourable Navdeep Bains
Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development

Quick facts

    --  On December 12, 2017, the Government of Canada launched an open and
        transparent competition to permanently replace Canada's fighter fleet.
        Canada will purchase 88 advanced fighter aircraft, as commitment to in
        Strong, Secure, Engaged, Canada's defence policy.
    --  The government will keep foreign governments, fighter aircraft
        manufacturers and the Canadian aerospace and defence sectors informed,
        to ensure they are well-positioned to participate.
    --  A contract award is anticipated in the 2021/2022 timeframe and the first
        replacement aircraft delivered in 2025. This is consistent with
        international experience in terms of the time required to undertake a
        thorough, open competition for a procurement of this size and
        complexity.
    --  Until permanent replacement aircraft are in place and fully operational,
        Canada must ensure that the Canadian Armed Forces has the equipment it
        needs to continue to deliver its missions, and meet its international
        obligations. As such, the Government of Canada is pursuing the purchase
        of 18 supplemental jets from the Australian Government.

Associated links

Replacing and supplementing Canada's CF-18 fleet
CF-18 replacement

SOURCE Public Services and Procurement Canada