The final Interim Fighter Capability Project aircraft
rolls off the production line at L3 Mirabel

On June 14, 2023, the Interim Fighter Capability Project (IFCP) celebrated the completion of the modifications on the final operational AF/A-18 aircraft, which will soon be released to service with the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF).  Since the first IFCP aircraft arrived in Canada in February 2019 from the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), 13 aircraft have undergone periodic inspection and modifications by L3Harris in Mirabel, Quebec, to make them functionally identical to the rest of the CF-18 fleet.

Flying over 2400 hours, the 13 IFCP aircraft delivered to the RCAF have already started making an impact. These aircraft help address the fighter capability gap and extend the life of the CF-18 fleet until they will be replaced by the F-35s. They will also ensure that Canada can generate sufficient mission-ready aircraft to meet its domestic and international obligations until the F-35 fleet is fully operational. IFCP is also using 7 additional procured AF/A-18 aircraft to support maintenance training and spare parts requirements.