Canada’s participation in the global F-35 program strengthens the economy, enhances national security, and advances defence leadership.
Canada joined the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program in 2002. As one of eight original partner nations, Canada contributes to the design, manufacturing, and long-term sustainment of F-35s — 5th Generation fighter jets built by Lockheed Martin and more than 2,100 global suppliers.
Over 110 Canadian companies have contributed to the F-35 supply chain, with each jet in the current global fleet of around 1,300 aircraft containing approximately $3.2 million in Canadian components.
Canada approved the purchase of 88 CF-35A fighter jets through the Future Fighter Capability Project in 2023. The first CF-35 will be delivered this year, contributing to North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) and NATO defence.
Behind every F-35 is a Canadian company, contributing to national security while supporting economic development.
Lockheed Martin Canada has been Canada’s trusted defence partner for over 85 years. “During a time of transformation, anchored by Canada’s new Defence Industrial Strategy, our 1,000-strong Lockheed Martin Canada employees, together with our valued supply chain and technology partners from coast to coast to coast, are energized by Canada’s call to strengthen security, create prosperity, and reinforce our strategic autonomy,” says Kristen Leroux, Regional Executive for Lockheed Martin Canada. “We’re invested in the values of sovereignty and to protecting and upholding our commitments to allies.”
Canadian engineering talent and technical expertise
Approximately 30 Canadian suppliers are actively embedded in the global F-35 supply chain today, contributing engineering and technical expertise to the international production program. Behind every F-35 is a Canadian company, contributing to national security while supporting economic development.
For employees at Canadian aerospace firm Aversan, supporting the F-35 global program was a generational opportunity: “Participating in the F-35 program was a professionally enriching experience for the Aversan team, combining Canadian engineering talent with one of the most advanced defence platforms in history and pushing us to achieve new levels of technical excellence,” says Danny Dias, Director of Business Development at Aversan.
“Our work on the F-35 program carried a profound sense of national pride, knowing that Canadian engineering excellence was contributing to one of the world’s most advanced defence capabilities,” says Nathan Nandhakumaran, COO at Aversan. “This program not only strengthened Canada’s role on the global stage but also served as a catalyst for our company’s technical expansion, workforce development, and long-term strategic advancement.”
Strengthening Canada’s aerospace industry
Participation in the global F-35 program has created significant economic value for Canada’s aerospace and defence sector. The program is projected to produce over $15.5 billion in industrial value, offering stability and growth opportunities for Canadian aerospace companies while supporting workforce development and supply chain resilience.
“In the last few years, the aerospace industry has been subjected to many different challenges, most notably volatility in both product demand and supply chains,” says Craig Levia, Director of Manufacturing at Gastops, a Canadian aerospace technology firm. “The F-35 program has been steady and stable throughout its duration, which has not only enabled Gastops to better navigate these recent challenges, but to grow and mature as an aerospace supplier.”
Participating in the F-35 program was a professionally enriching experience, combining Canadian engineering talent with one of the most advanced defence platforms in history and pushing us to achieve new levels of technical excellence.
“Long-term partnerships like the one we have with Lockheed Martin bring new opportunities and job security for employees,” says Kevin Russell, Vice-President and General Manager at ASCO Aerospace Canada, a specialized aerospace manufacturer. “The stability of the defence market helps offset the more volatile commercial market.”
Future innovation and defence leadership
Canada’s involvement in the F-35 program today positions the country for greater defence and aerospace innovation and leadership in the future. With Canadian companies already helping to shape future defence systems, both their capabilities and capacity are set to continue growing.
“The F-35 program has provided our company with stability in production demand and the opportunity to develop new capabilities to support a truly cutting-edge platform,” says Michael Iacovelli, CEO at Ben Machine, a Canadian aerospace and defence welding provider.
Ottawa-based Gastops has experienced similar benefits, “the success of the F-35 program globally, and our inclusion as a critical technology on the aircraft, has enabled Gastops to grow our leadership within the global community of intelligent condition monitoring,” says Shaun Horning, President and CEO at Gastops. “Being a supplier to the F-35 gives Gastops instant credibility in the aerospace industry, and it opens doors for us that otherwise might not be open.”
Learn more about Canada’s role in the global F-35 program and future opportunities at f35.com/canada.
