During a speech Wednesday at a Vancouver Board of Trade event, the vice-chairman of the Aerospace Industries Association of Canada (AIAC) boasted of the sector benefits stemming from the federal government’s polarizing decision to acquire 65 U.S.-made F-35 Joint Strike Fighters (JSF) as Canada’s next generation of fighters.
David Schellenberg, who is also president and CEO of Abbotsford’s Cascade Aerospace, said that since 2002, more than $350 million in JSF contracts have gone to Canadian companies, universities and research laboratories.
The federal government is paying $9 billion starting in 2016 for 65 stealth jets, plus up to $8 billion in maintenance costs over 20 years.
Led by the opposition Liberal party, critics say the government overpaid for the jets and played favourites by sourcing the contract with U.S. defence industry giant Lockheed Martin.
Lockheed Martin’s major partners in the program are Northrop Grumman and BAE Systems.
Canada is one of nine countries investing in the US$383 billion program.
It is estimated that the partner countries will buy roughly 3,000 aircraft.
Another 2,000 will be exported to other countries.
Schellenberg said that 60 Canadian companies have signed contracts on the F-35 program and more have prospects to do the same.
Here in B.C., Asco, Avcorp and NGrain have JSF contracts.
“These entities and others now have a unique opportunity to be part of the JSF global supply chain, bringing jobs and sustained economic benefits,” said Schellenberg.
He said that total Canadian opportunities in the JSF program are expected to reach $12 billion, excluding long-term fleet maintenance and support.
Said Schellenberg: “Our commitment to the JSF partnership was a good one and it needs to be honoured for everyone’s benefit.”
Schellenberg also discussed why Canada needs a more robust aerospace industry policy that addresses increasing global competition.