Senior Lockheed Martin executives are traveling to Quebec to confirm a plan to service Canada’s F‑35 fleet at L3Harris’s Mirabel facility. The delegation will meet with provincial officials and L3Harris engineers on Tuesday. [1]
The announcement signals a push to keep maintenance work in Canada, promising jobs, local investment and reduced reliance on overseas depots. Analysts say a domestic hub could save the government millions over the life of the program and strengthen the national aerospace supply chain. [4]
L3Harris’s Mirabel plant currently maintains the Royal Canadian Air Force’s CF‑18 fighters, giving it a proven track record for high‑performance jet upkeep. The facility employs roughly 1,200 technicians and already houses specialized tooling that will be adapted for the newer stealth aircraft. Upgrades to the hangar bays and digital diagnostics are slated for early 2025. [4]
Canada has already committed to purchase 16 F‑35 aircraft [3], with a full order size of 88 jets expected over the program’s life [3]. The larger fleet will require a permanent, in‑country maintenance solution, a need that the Mirabel hub is positioned to meet.
Lockheed Martin officials say the Mirabel site could also service U.S. F‑35s as early as 2028‑2029, expanding the hub’s market reach [3]. Export‑level work would bring additional revenue streams and further embed Canada in the North American defense industrial base.
A Lockheed Martin spokesperson said the plan would create hundreds of skilled jobs and strengthen Canada’s aerospace sector. The company highlighted opportunities for apprenticeships and partnerships with local colleges to build a pipeline of qualified technicians. [2]
Final agreements will be reviewed by Canadian defense officials next month, and the government expects a formal maintenance contract by late 2026. If approved, the arrangement could set a precedent for future Canadian procurement projects that emphasize domestic industrial participation. [2]
“Lockheed Martin officials say the Mirabel site could also service U.S. F‑35s as early as 2028‑2029, expanding the hub’s market reach.”
What this means: Securing a Canadian maintenance hub for the F‑35 aligns the aircraft program with Ottawa’s broader industrial policy, keeping more of the life‑cycle work—and the associated revenue—onshore. It also positions Quebec as a key node in the North American defense supply chain, potentially attracting additional work from the United States and reinforcing Canada’s strategic autonomy in air defence.
