Lockheed Martin has partnered with MAS, L3Harris’ Canadian business unit, to advance plans for an F-35 sustainment center in Mirabel, Quebec. The move is part of Canada’s strategy to secure sovereign maintenance and support capability for the Royal Canadian Air Force’s incoming CF-35 fighters. A joint executive steering committee will oversee planning for the site, including technical services, workforce training, and long-term fleet support capacity. Canada has committed to purchasing up to 88 F-35 aircraft to replace the legacy CF-18 fleet, making domestic sustainment increasingly important for readiness and cost control. MAS has already been identified as a strategic industrial partner for the CF-35 program. The planned Mirabel facility is expected to integrate with an established Canadian supplier base of approximately 30 companies contributing to the global F-35 ecosystem. Those industrial contributions are estimated at $3.2 million per aircraft across a worldwide fleet now exceeding 1,300 jets. Canada is scheduled to receive its first 16 aircraft by 2026, with additional procurement decisions underway for another 14 jets tied to long-lead production items. By creating an in-country depot, Ottawa would gain stronger control over maintenance scheduling, repair turnaround times, and operational independence. The project also supports aerospace employment and may allow Canada to play a broader role in servicing allied F-35 operators in the future.
