GE Aerospace and Magellan Aerospace Corporation have signed an agreement to launch maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) services in Canada for the F414-GE-39E engine powering the Saab JAS 39 Gripen fighter jet.
The memorandum of understanding positions a critical support capability for the Swedish-made planes if selected as part of an ongoing Royal Canadian Air Force program to adopt a fifth-generation combat aircraft fleet.
For the collaboration, GE would transfer skills and license its Ontario-based counterpart as a local provider of comprehensive assistance preserving the F414 engine’s “operational readiness, availability, and long-term performance.”
Activities will be located at Magellan’s center in Mississauga, backed by dedicated infrastructure and a proficient workforce.
“This [memorandum of understanding] reflects our shared intent to build enduring sovereign aerospace capabilities in Canada,” said Haydn Martin, vice president of business development, marketing, and contracts at Magellan.
“Should the Saab JAS 39 Gripen E aircraft be selected, Magellan Aerospace will be ready to provide world-class engine [MRO] 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.”
The F414 Engine
More than 1,600 GE F414 engines are in service across eight countries, accumulating over five million flight hours worldwide.
The equipment delivers full power instantly, allowing pilots to move the throttle as fast as possible without any limits or lag.
It has a six-module architecture that enables seamless upkeep without extensive hardware overhaul.
Inside the Gripen jet, the F414 supports a top speed of Mach 2 (2,470 kilometers/1,535 miles per hour), a range of 2,200 nautical miles (4,074 kilometers/2,532 miles), and altitudes up to 16,000 meters (52,493 feet).
