GE Aerospace, Magellan Aerospace sign MOU on F414 sustainment

GE Aerospace and Magellan Aerospace have signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding at the Farnborough Air Show to establish Canadian maintenance, repair, and overhaul capabilities for the F414-GE-39E engine that powers the Saab JAS 39 Gripen E. The agreement is contingent on the Government of Canada moving ahead with the Gripen E as part of the future Royal Canadian Air Force fighter fleet.

“Today’s MOU signing builds on a six-decade relationship between GE Aerospace and Magellan that spans both military and commercial engines and will ensure the Royal Canadian Air Force has access to engine sustainment services in country to ensure readiness of the F414 engines,” said Paul Ferraro, Vice President of Defense Engines & Services at GE Aerospace.

“This MOU reflects our shared intent to build enduring sovereign aerospace capabilities in Canada,” said Haydn Martin, Magellan’s Vice President, Business Development, Marketing, and Contracts. “Should the Saab JAS 39 Gripen E aircraft be selected, Magellan Aerospace will be ready to provide world-class engine maintenance, repair and overhaul services that enhance operational readiness for the Royal Canadian Air Force while maintaining highly skilled Canadian jobs, developing advanced technical expertise, and strengthening Canada’s long-term defence industrial capacity.”

If the plan proceeds, GE Aerospace would train and license Magellan as the domestic center of excellence for engine sustainment, with comprehensive MRO services at Magellan’s Mississauga, Ontario, facility. The capability would aim to keep expertise, infrastructure, and skilled personnel in country while reinforcing Canada’s defense industrial base in line with government guidance to build domestically, partner strategically, and buy where appropriate.

The F414 engine family has logged more than five million flight hours across eight nations, with over 1,600 engines delivered. GE cites high reliability and durability, a modular design to simplify maintenance and reduce life-cycle costs, and on-condition maintenance with no scheduled overhauls to maximize availability.

Magellan Aerospace, headquartered in Canada and listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: MAL), supplies complex assemblies and systems for aircraft and engines and serves defense and space customers worldwide. The company designs and manufactures aeroengine and aerostructure components and provides engine and component repair and overhaul services, with operations in North America, Europe, and India.