Minister of Industry Tony Clement announced on Monday a major investment in a one-billion-Canadian dollar (992-million-U.S. dollar) research and development project by Pratt & Whitney Canada Corporation.

The investment is expected to create and maintain an average of more than 700 highly skilled jobs during the project work phase and more than 2,000 jobs during the 15-year benefits phase.

“The investment is creating jobs and strengthening Canada’s economy,” said Clement, adding that the project will create and maintain Canadian research jobs, encourage public and private partnerships, and keep Canada at the forefront of the international aerospace industry.

The project’s R&D work will lead to lighter aircraft engines with more power, better fuel consumption and improved durability. The engines will give off fewer emissions and make less noise. They will cost less to own and take less time to make, according to the minister.

Among the total 1 billion Canadian dollars investment, 300 million will be given by the federal government, and is being made through the Strategic Aerospace and Defence Initiative (SADI), which supports industrial research and pre-competitive development projects in the aerospace, defence, space and security industries to advance leading-edge R&D by Canadian industries.

Under its pre-competitive engine technology development program for gas turbine engine applications, Pratt&Whitney will develop technologies for the next generation of engines and current engine platforms.