In a landmark development shaking Canada’s aerospace sector, a $400 million fighter jet factory is rapidly taking shape in Montreal, promising to create hundreds of high-skilled jobs and establish a sovereign Gripen fighter production capability on Canadian soil by 2028. This breakthrough challenges traditional North American defense dependencies and reshapes geopolitical manufacturing landscapes.

Montreal has long been a hub of aerospace ingenuity, and now it’s cementing its place as a global defense manufacturing powerhouse. Bombardier’s ambitious new plant, spanning 126,000 square feet—larger than a typical Home Depot—is dedicated to the final assembly and integration of Saab’s Gripen E and F fighter jets. This facility signals a strategic pivot towards independent production using European design and British-made engines.

Construction is progressing fast; concrete is poured, steel frames are climbing, and specialized aerospace machinery is en route to the site. Groundbreaking began in early 2026, with major construction slated to continue throughout 2027. Worker training and certification will commence mid-year 2027, setting the stage for the first Canadian-built Gripens to roll off assembly lines in 2028—years ahead of expected F-35 upgrades and far ahead of American program delays.

This isn’t just about bricks and mortar. The new factory represents a seismic shift in military manufacturing sovereignty. By assembling fighters using non-American technology independently, Canada is recalibrating the balance of power within North America and NATO. Washington is observing, but there’s no legal or political mechanism to halt the factory’s progress once the foundations are set.

Inside the ultra-modern plant, every detail is purpose-built for cutting-edge aerospace manufacture. High bay ceilings accommodate vertical fuselage assembly, climate-controlled areas protect composite materials, clean rooms handle sophisticated avionics integration, and dedicated test cells verify critical systems before any fighter jet departs. This is full-fledged production capability, designed to operate for decades with precision and efficiency.

The $400 million investment is carefully distributed: up to $200 million for construction, around $100 million for aerospace-specific equipment, $50 million dedicated to Gripen tooling, and another $50 to $100 million allocated for workforce training and operational startup. This ensures a robust, permanent industrial footprint—not a temporary manufacturing run.

Workforce development is central to the project’s impact. Hundreds of high-tech jobs will be created, encompassing assembly technicians, quality inspectors, avionics specialists, and systems engineers—all skilled roles commanding competitive salaries with long-term career prospects. Employment here will ripple across Quebec’s aerospace ecosystem, potentially multiplying job creation across countless suppliers and service providers.

Montreal’s selection as the factory site leverages a dense cluster of aerospace expertise, including Bombardier headquarters, Pratt & Whitney Canada, CAE simulation technology, and Beltextron helicopters. Nearby suppliers and technical training institutions create a fertile environment for this expansion, seamlessly integrating the Gripen assembly into the existing industrial landscape.

Strategically, having Rolls-Royce establish engine production capacity in the same city amplifies supply chain efficiency. The EJ230 engines powering the Gripens will be manufactured locally, drastically reducing logistical complications, shipping delays, and quality-control challenges. This proximity enables streamlined coordination essential for meeting ambitious production targets of 20 to 30 fighter jets annually.

Political implications resonate deeply at the provincial and federal levels. Quebec Premier François Legault champions economic development and high-quality employment—this project embodies those priorities perfectly. Ottawa’s financial support is anticipated through tax incentives, grants, and workforce programs, reinforcing national defense autonomy and positioning Canada as a NATO fighter production hub.

Timing sharpens the strategic narrative. While the F-35 program grapples with persistent software glitches and engine shortages, the Montreal factory’s swift advancement delivers European platform production capacity that is both reliable and timely. This momentum is irreversible, emerging amidst shifting global defense dynamics and underscoring Canada’s commitment to self-reliance.

Attempts at external economic or political pressures to halt construction would backfire dramatically. The massive investments already committed—including private-sector supplier contracts and public funding—render cancellation financially and politically untenable. The factory’s workforce forms a formidable political shield; these are livelihoods supported by communities who will resist any rollback of the initiative.

The broader aerospace supply chain bolsters this resilience further. Dozens of regional companies are ramping up for parts, electronics, logistics, and engineering, each betting on long-term contracts linked to Bombardier’s facility. Disrupting these arrangements would trigger cascading economic damage across Quebec’s aerospace ecosystem, inciting immediate and severe political consequences.

The factory design also anticipates future expansions. Although already vast, the 126,000-square-foot facility reserves space to boost production capacity from 30 to potentially 50 aircraft annually. This scalability opens the door to international orders, positioning Montreal as a North American manufacturing base not just for Canada but for allied nations like Poland, Spain, or Germany considering Gripen fighters.

Beyond engines, integration extends to avionics, landing gear, hydraulics, and structural components supplied by qualified Canadian aerospace firms. Bombardier’s role orchestrates final assembly and quality assurance, activating a complex regional network that generates widespread employment and nurtures advanced aerospace expertise for decades to come.

Skills acquired in this factory won’t vanish when current contracts end; they build permanent, cutting-edge Canadian knowledge in military aviation. This knowledge base empowers future upgrades, modifications, or even new programs—anchoring Quebec as a lifelong leader in advanced defense manufacturing.

Quality and reputation remain paramount. Saab’s stringent standards ensure that Canadian-built Gripens will match their Swedish counterparts precisely, maintaining global competitiveness and credibility. This project’s success hinges not only on infrastructure but also on uncompromising engineering excellence.

The striking reality is that Canada’s investment is more than economic; it is a declaration of technological and political sovereignty. As concrete cures and assembly lines form, the factory solidifies Canada’s autonomous defense identity and its evolving role on the world stage. This pivotal moment will rewrite aerospace and geopolitical relationships for decades.

Canadians watching this breakthrough witness a historic fusion of industry, sovereignty, and opportunity. The Montreal Gripen factory embodies a new era where strategic independence and economic vitality intersect, demonstrating the power of foresight and determination in an uncertain global defense environment.

Stay tuned as this story unfolds—the factory’s rise is a pulse point of Canada’s future, a beacon of advanced manufacturing, and a formidable stride toward self-reliant defense capabilities. The era of Canadian-built fighters is no longer a distant vision; it is fast becoming reality.