03 August 2020

Three companies submit bids for Canada's fighter competition

by Pat Host

Boeing, Saab, and Lockheed Martin have submitted bids for Canada’s Future Fighter Capability Project (FFCP) that will replace the Royal Canadian Air Force’s (RCAF’s) legacy Boeing F/A-18 (CF-18/CF-188 in national service) fighter fleet.

Boeing offered its F/A-18 Block III Super Hornet, while Saab offered the Gripen E and Lockheed Martin offered the F-35A Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) conventional variant. The programmme, expected to be worth USD11‒14 billion, will acquire 88 aircraft and associated equipment, setup training, and sustainment services.

Canada received bids from Lockheed Martin, Saab, and Boeing for its Future Fighter Capability Project. (Getty Images)

Saab’s bid includes work from IMP Aerospace & Defense, CAE, Peraton Canada, and GE Aviation. CAE spokesman Chris Stellwag said on 31 July that the company would provide training and mission systems solutions for the Gripen E, such as avionics software upgrades, integrated logistics support, and data management services. Stellwag said CAE currently provides these types of in-service support solutions to Canada for its CF-18s.

Saab’s supplier team includes Diehl Defence GmbH & Co KG, MBDA UK, and Rafael Advanced Defence Systems, according to a company statement. Jonas Hjelm, Saab senior vice-president and aeronautics business chief, was quoted by the company as saying that a unique element of the Gripen E is that its avionics can be updated quickly.

Boeing, Saab, and Lockheed Martin have submitted bids for Canada’s Future Fighter Capability Project...

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