This Kelowna company just landed a huge military contract

In the years to come the skies over Kelowna could be graced by one of the most state-of-the-art military aircraft in the world.

One of the city’s biggest employers is expecting to increase its workforce and specialist skills training following the announcement by the federal government of an order of up to 16 Boeing P-8A Poseidon military surveillance aircraft.

The multi-billion-dollar deal to replace the fleet of half-century-old CP-140 Auroras, will see the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) take delivery of the first plane in 2026. It will be used to patrol Canada’s coastline and has proven submarine-hunting technology among many other sophisticated elements.

KF Aerospace, which is located at the YLW complex, already has a plus-30 year relationship with Boeing commercial aircraft and will now provide regular work on the military planes.

“Once this aircraft is operational with the RCAF you can pretty much bet you’re going to see it coming in and out of Kelowna from time to time,” communications lead at KF Aerospace Matt Stone told Kelowna10. “Looking forward to seeing that bird land at YLW here.”

Details on the specific scope of maintenance work on the new Poseidon aircraft is yet to be determined.

However, with a plus-$10 billion contract over time, the company expects there to be an expansion to their specialist work and skills training.

“It’s an absolutely fantastic aircraft and we’re on the team with Boeing to provide ongoing support and maintenance support here at our facilities in future,” Stone said. “The last couple of years we’ve been working directly with The Boeing Company on some civilian programs and now this is our first chance to work directly with Boeing Defense.”

The local company is very familiar with the commercial Boeing 737-800 NG airframe on which the Poseidon is based.

“We have a ton of experience on this airframe,” he said.

Speaking to the prospect of Kelowna becoming a key maintenance base for one of the world’s most advanced military planes, Stone said that speaks a lot of the aviation sector here and the company’s pedigree.

“It speaks a lot to the development of aerospace here in the Okanagan and B.C., the importance of the industry here. We’ve been around for 53 years,” Stone explained. “We’re continually expanding our capabilities and we have a great workforce here.”

Seeing a plane worth about $225 million a pop over local skies will only add to Kelowna’s growing reputation as an aviation hub.