Executives from Lockheed Martin, the U.S. manufacturer of F-35 fighter jets, confirmed plans for a new maintenance facility in Mirabel, Quebec, in partnership with MAS, a subsidiary of L3Harris. This facility will not only support the maintenance of the 88 F-35s Canada plans to purchase but will also accommodate F-35s from other nations. Lockheed Martin's vice-president, Chauncey MacIntosh, emphasized the importance of this partnership in strengthening ties with Canada, which has been a key partner in the F-35 program. The re-tooling of the facility is estimated to cost at least $200 million USD, with MAS seeking federal investment to support this initiative. Union representatives have welcomed the announcement, expressing hope for job security as workers transition from maintaining the aging CF-18 fleet to the new F-35s. The Canadian government is currently evaluating its options for its fighter fleet, including the potential acquisition of Swedish-made Gripen jets, amidst ongoing negotiations related to the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA). MacIntosh highlighted the operational advantages of maintaining a single fleet for interoperability with NATO and streamlined training and infrastructure needs.