Aéro Montréal applauds federal government's announcement for the procurement
of 5th generation Joint Strike Fighter F-35 aircrafts

MONTREAL, July 16 /CNW Telbec/ - Aéro Montréal, Québec's aerospace cluster, welcomes today's announcement by the Government of Canada regarding the acquisition of 5th generation Joint Strike Fighter F-35 aircrafts which will generate significant economic benefits for Canada and Québec.

"This is a historic procurement for Canada and excellent news for the Québec aerospace cluster and the entire Canadian aerospace industry," said Gilles Labbé, Chairman of Aéro Montréal and President and CEO of Héroux-Devtek. "Canada's participation in this multinational project, ending with the purchase of F-35 fighter aircraft, is a structuring contract for our industry spanning more than 25 years and will enable our companies to continue to demonstrate their capabilities and competitiveness internationally."

Thanks to the Canadian government's participation in the Joint Strike Fighter program, many Canadian and Québec companies helped to develop the F-35. Having done so, they will be an integral part of the program's global supply chain and will therefore continue to participate in the design of equipment in the short term and for decades to come.

"Québec has a large and world-class industrial capacity and, as a result, is the main centre for Canada's aerospace industry," said Suzanne M. Benoît, CEO of Aéro Montréal. "The Québec aerospace cluster and its partners will actively work together with the Canadian government to maximize the benefits of these major contracts for the Québec industry."

Québec's aerospace industry at a glance

Recognized for its highly skilled and innovative labour force, Québec's aerospace sector today employs 40 000 people and generates revenues of $12.4 billion, or around 60% of the Canadian total. With 98% of Québec's aerospace activity concentrated in Greater Montréal, the region is one of the world's leading aerospace centres, along with Seattle and Toulouse.

Québec's aerospace industry benefits from the presence of global leaders. These include 4 major prime contractors and some 15 equipment manufacturers and MROs supported by a network of more than 200 specialized companies. Moreover, Québec is home to Canada's largest aerospace centres of excellence and most prestigious technical institutes, schools, colleges and universities. Thanks to this exceptional innovation capacity, our industrial sector is recognized around the world as a true model of excellence.

About Aéro Montréal

Aéro Montréal, Québec's aerospace cluster, is a think tank that brings together all the major decision makers in Québec's aerospace sector, including companies, educational and research institutions, associations and unions.

Aéro Montréal's mission is to mobilize industry players around common goals and focused actions to increase cohesion and optimize competitiveness. By fostering the growth and expansion of Greater Montréal's aerospace cluster, it intends to make this industry an increasingly important source of wealth creation for the Montréal region, Québec and Canada.

For further information: Amélie Hudon, Senior Communications Advisor, Aéro Montréal, 514 987-9334, [email protected]