Canada announced the construction of a quick-reaction facility in Quebec that will house 32 new CF-35A fighter jets. The rendering depicts the facility, which is expected to be ready by 2027. CANADIAN DEPARTMENT OF NATIONAL DEFENSE
THE WATCH STAFF
Canada will build a new “Quick Reaction Alert” facility at its existing Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Bagotville to better support Ottawa’s role in the North American Aerospace Defense Command’s (NORAD) mission to protect the North American homeland. The Quebec facility will house 32 of Canada’s soon-to-arrive CF-35As in a “flight-ready state,” according to a news release from Canada’s Department of National Defense (DND).
“This investment in Bagotville will enable our personnel at the base to plan, posture, and deploy our new fleet of CF-35A fighters rapidly and effectively. Today’s milestone is a clear sign of Canada’s commitment to modernizing our NORAD infrastructure and capabilities in support of the continental defence mission. In close collaboration with our American allies, our government will continue to make the necessary investments to protect North America as our continent faces new security challenges,” Minister of National Defence Bill Blair said.
The $89 million project, slated for completion in 2027, will create more than 600 jobs in the region and is part of Canada’s $28.5 billion NORAD modernization plan, announced in 2022. It is the most significant upgrade to Canada’s NORAD capabilities in four decades. “This project will provide Canadian Armed Forces personnel with the infrastructure they need to support the NORAD mission, including Operation NOBLE EAGLE, which deters, detects, and defeats potential threats to U.S. and Canadian airspace 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year,” the release stated.
In June 2022, the DND announced funding for Canada’s continental defense capabilities, including the modernization of NORAD. NORAD modernization will ensure that the CAF can sustain a strong military presence across the country, including in Canada’s North, through investments in infrastructure and support capabilities, the release stated.
CFB Bagotville was built in 1951 as a training base for the squadrons serving with the predecessor organization of NORAD, which was formed in 1958. It is one of two main operating bases for Canada’s fighter planes; the other is in Cold Lake, Alberta. Cold Lake will receive 56 of the new CF-35As aircraft, according to the release. (The Royal Canadian Air Force has renamed the American-made F-35 as the CF-35A.)
At the NATO summit Washington, D.C., in July 2024, Blair said Canada knows it must spend more on national defense. Earlier this year, the Canadian government updated its defense policy. The “Our North, Strong and Free” plan places a major emphasis on defending the Arctic. The government has announced the purchase of long-range submarines, Arctic off-shore patrol vessels, and maritime sensors and drones as part of its efforts to meet the NATO-mandated goal for its members to spend at least 2% of their gross domestic product on defense, a goal which the Canadian government formally committed to meeting at the summit.
Marie-France Lalonde, parliamentary secretary to the defence minister, said the Bagotville quick-reaction facility is a clear demonstration of Canada’s commitment to the defense of North American airspace. “Today, we are reaffirming our commitment to this unique binational command, and investing in new infrastructure so that Canadian Armed Forces members can effectively deploy fifth-generation fighter jets in support of NORAD’s mission. Our government will continue to invest in new military infrastructure that supports the combat power of the Canadian Armed Forces,” she said.