The delivery of its 79th and final CF-18 Hornet aircraft for the Canadian defense department was announced by U. S. defense company Boeing Co.

The completed fleet program for the CF-18 boosts the defense capabilities for Canada, Boeing Vice President Jim O'Neill said.

He further said, "Boeing's upgrades to Canada's CF-18 fleet will ensure that this fighter force will remain effective and operationally credible for many years to come."

The first $436 million phase of the project focused on upgrades to the instruments and weapons capabilities of the Hornet fleet. Phase one was completed in 2006.

The company further said that the second $150 million phase focused on improving data links for interoperability with U. S. and allied armed forces, upgraded cockpit displays and chaff-and-flare dispensing electronic warfare system to improve survivability.

Boeing worked on the program in coordination with L-3 Electronics Systems. A division of L-3 installed the upgrades to the Hornet fleet.

The Canadian defense forces are "better equipped than ever" with the modernized CF-18 Hornet fleet, O'Neill further added. (With Inputs from Agencies)