The Canadian Department of Defence has begun construction of a Quick Reaction Alert facility at the Bagotville base in Quebec.
The site will house Ottawa’s future F-35A combat aircraft fleet and support North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) operations in partnership with the US military.
The 7,400-square-meter (24,278 square feet) center will incorporate hangar bays, administrative spaces, and staff quarters. Surrounding the hub is a 17,000-square-meter (55,774 square feet) protected field for additional capabilities.
Work on the facility is valued at 120 million Canadian dollars ($87.3 million) and is expected to sustain approximately 600 jobs in the region.
The construction is led by Saint-Georges firm Pomerleau Inc. and will conclude in 2027.
“For decades, NORAD has ensured the defence of North American aerospace,” Defence Minister Parliamentary Secretary Marie-France Lalonde said.
“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.”
NORAD Modernization Plan
The Bagotville project is part of Ottawa’s broader 38.6-billion Canadian dollar ($28.1-billion) NORAD Modernization Plan announced by the government in 2022.
Construction of the center is funded by the initiative’s Defence of Canada Infrastructure Project, which oversees large infrastructure upgrades benefitting the nation’s fighter jets, NORAD alliance, and overall continental defense.
Meanwhile, the Royal Canadian Air Force’s incoming F-35As will consist of up to 88 units. The fleet was purchased from Lockheed Martin through a $14.2-billion US foreign military sale in 2023.
The Canadian defense agency noted that the Bagotville Quick Reaction Alert center will also support Operation Noble Eagle, an ongoing NORAD deployment focusing on 24/7 aerospace warning, control, and associated missions in North America.
“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,” Canadian Defence Minister Bill Blair said.
“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.”