The federal government will help bolster the development of next-generation surveillance technology with a $75 million investment in Burlington, Ont.-based L-3 Wescam.

The repayable contribution was announced by Industry Minister James Moore on Monday.

The "meaningful investment" will support research and development of "new high-tech air, land and sea surveillance cameras and sensors that are essential to Canada's defence, security, and search and rescue operations," according to the accompanying news release.

It will also "lead to the creation of new high-paying, high-tech jobs across southern Ontario's defence manufacturing supply chain" and "maintain 200 existing positions in Burlington and Don Mills."

The company will devote $2 million to collaboration efforts with Canadian universities and colleges "to help train Canada's future security and defence technology workforce."

Last month, L-3 Wescam signed a two-year, $6 million contract for design and repair services in support of the U.S. Navy's maritime patrol and surveillance efforts.

The deal garnered official congratulations from International Trade Minister Ed Fast, who noted in a press release that the sale was "facilitated" by the Canadian Commercial Corporation," a government-run international contracting organization, under a Canada-U.S. defence production sharing agreement.