The federal government has embarked on a couple of initiatives to support the project to buy a new fleet of fighter jets for the RCAF. The aircraft will replace the air force’s CF-18s.

Through a Request for Proposal issued Tuesday, the Canadian government will be hiring an independent third-party reviewer to help validate various procurement documents and support processes relating to the Future Fighter Capability Project. The reviewer’s role will be to provide defence procurement and financial expert analysis to ensure that the procurement approach “is designed to deliver the desired outcomes,” according to Public Services and Procurement Canada.

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The list of eligible suppliers for the new fighter jet includes the following teams (in alphabetical order):

France—Dassault Aviation (Thales DMS France SAS and Safran Aircraft Engines)

Sweden—SAAB AB (publ)—Aeronautics

United Kingdom and Northern Ireland—Airbus Defense and Space GmbH

United States—Lockheed Martin Corporation (Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company)

United States—The Boeing Company

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Only these suppliers will be invited to participate in subsequent formal engagement activities and to submit proposals, according to the government.

In parallel with discussions with these suppliers, the Canadian government will continue to talk to other firms to gather and share general information related to the procurement. This aims to make sure that Canadian aerospace and defence firms can play a role in the procurement.

Innovation, Science and Economic Development, in partnership with National Defence and Public Services and Procurement will conduct regional forums across Canada, according to the federal government. These forums, to be held in the cities listed below, will be an opportunity for the Canadian aerospace and defence sectors to learn more about the Industrial and Technological Benefits Policy including the Value Proposition and to engage with potential prime contractors: