MONTREAL - Boeing Co. says it has awarded contracts worth more than $420 million to companies in Quebec, linked to the Canadian government's 2007 order for four C-17 Globemaster 3 aircraft.
The first two long-distance transport planes are already in service with Canadian Forces, having been used to support the military in Afghanistan.
As part of the original order, Boeing agreed to match the price of the four aircraft with dollar-for-dollar investments in Canada through a program co-ordinated by Industry Canada.
Boeing said it has identified more than 66 per cent of its total program obligations. Boeing will identify the rest over the next three years.
The firm has also agreed to a collateral agreement that provides further industry benefits worth $750 million over 20 years for in-service support of the C-17 fleet.
The contracts so far involve flight-simulator firm CAE Inc., Bombardier Inc., training system specialist Eedo and several others.
In addition, Boeing has teamed up with RTI International Metals and invested in the RTI Claro facility in Montreal in support of the $346 million worth of contract work that RTI Claro will perform for Boeing Commercial in Quebec.
Boeing employs more than 1,400 employees in Quebec, British Columbia and Manitoba. Canada is also home to the third-largest international supplier base for Boeing.
Headquartered in St. Louis, the Boeing Integrated Defence Systems unit is a US$32.4-billion business with 72,000 employees worldwide.
Meanwhile, Lockheed Martin also announced Monday it is providing Quebec companies with contracts worth a total of $240 million.
Federal Public Works Minister Michael Fortier and Industry Minister Jim Prentice made the announcement at a news conference in nearby Laval.
