I would like to thank the committee for this opportunity.
As Antonio mentioned, I am here on behalf of the manufacturers in Canada, who join me, as mentioned, and who are behind me, CAE, Raytheon, and Thales.
We are here to emphasize that included in these aircraft is world-class technology made in Canada. In fact, we are world leaders in this field.
The key components of the C-295 aircraft, including its turbo jets and avionics are manufactured in Quebec, which means that the total Canadian content is about 50%. The aircraft's flight simulator is also manufactured in Canada.
The Canadian components of the C-295 are to a great extent responsible for the aircraft's success. Since early in 2001, the C-295 has been a world leader in its category with more than 50 units sold.
To that you can add the in-service support in Calgary, a large percentage of the value of the contract, plus the sensor suite, in addition to avionics in Toronto. Our company's support, while significant in Quebec, counts major input from our plants in Halifax, Mississauga, and Lethbridge. In deference to my Spanish colleague, this is a real Canadian solution.
Our association, the Aerospace Industries Association of Canada, when it appeared before you, looked for investments that ensured better value for money and direct support for our industry. This is one of the most exceptional cases in point. The funds that had been allocated for this project were more than sufficient.
A central question today is that there is likely no program currently, but the need is there. Search and rescue for Canada and around its borders is military in one aspect, but it falls on the cooperation and teamwork of civilian and military people. It calls for the maximum effort of the best resources available from our nation. Search and rescue is there to protect Canada' s citizens, and we believe it would be appropriate to use an existing globally accepted Canadian solution, which in fact could be delivered in well less than a year.
The companies with me today are in two-thirds of the world's search and rescue solutions, and we've been there since the inception of the C-295.
In the ongoing discussions on the procurement of search and rescue aircraft, it would be important to remember that a Canadian solution does exist.
We are looking for a fair and open competition. We are able to compete globally and win globally. We are simply asking to be given a chance in our own country.
Thank you.