The Government of Canada has taken a decisive step forward in strengthening its airborne defence capabilities. On September 25, 2026, Ottawa announced the signing of a non-binding preliminary agreement with Swedish manufacturer Saab, establishing the foundation for detailed negotiations toward the eventual acquisition of the GlobalEye platform for the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF). This concrete advancement follows the May 27, 2026 announcement in which the Prime Minister designated Saab as the preferred supplier to provide Canada with an Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEWC) platform capability.
A Preliminary Agreement Paving the Way for Detailed Negotiations
While this agreement constitutes neither a definitive contract nor a firm commitment to acquire aircraft, it represents a tangible and measurable step toward the acquisition of the GlobalEye platform. It reflects several months of sustained collaboration between Saab, the Defence Investment Agency (DIA), and the RCAF. The agreement opens the door to in-depth negotiations covering a customized Canadian configuration, a development program tailored to Canada's specific needs, Canadian supplier participation in the global supply chain, and delivery and service entry timelines. The agreement reflects the BUILD-COLLABORATE-BUY framework of Canada's Defence Industrial Strategy (DIS), which favours the acquisition of proven commercial solutions from trusted allies.
As part of these negotiations, Canada intends to acquire six GlobalEye aircraft, along with associated systems and required training programs. The GlobalEye platform would provide the RCAF with an advanced airborne surveillance, command and control capability, enabling the detection, tracking, and prioritization of multiple threats at long range, including enemy aircraft, ballistic missiles, and drones. Acting as a true flying command centre, this capability would significantly enhance situational awareness for Canadian Armed Forces and their NATO allies, particularly in the Arctic and remote regions of Canadian territory.
The Bombardier Global 6500: Canadian Pride at the Heart of the Project
A particularly strategic aspect of this project is the use of the Bombardier Global 6500 as the base platform for the AEWC system. This world-class business jet, manufactured in Canada by Bombardier, forms the technological foundation upon which Saab's GlobalEye solution is built. This strategic choice positions Canada as a central actor in the production, maintenance, and long-term in-service support of the GlobalEye platform on an international scale. One of the government's priority objectives is precisely to make Canada a global hub for future mission readiness and in-service support activities, fully leveraging national expertise in advanced aircraft manufacturing.
This approach would create highly specialized jobs in aerospace engineering, defence electronics, mission systems, advanced maintenance, and logistics support, while fostering the integration of cutting-edge Canadian technologies into global supply chains. It would also support future exports of Canada-built GlobalEye aircraft to international customers, opening new high-potential markets for Quebec and Canadian aerospace companies and anchoring Canada as a key node in the global defence aerospace ecosystem.
The Defence Industrial Strategy as the Guiding Framework
The AEWC project fully aligns with Canada's Defence Industrial Strategy (DIS) and its BUILD-COLLABORATE-BUY framework, which prioritizes the acquisition of proven commercial solutions from trusted allies while maximizing economic benefits on Canadian soil. This strategy balances three complementary objectives: strengthening defence capabilities, generating economic benefits for Canadian industry, and fostering sustainable long-term industrial development. The project directly contributes to NORAD modernization, strengthening continental defence in partnership with the United States, and enhances Canada's interoperability with NATO allies in a rapidly evolving global security environment.
Official Statements
"Canada's approach to defence procurement must go beyond simply acquiring military equipment. It must help protect Canadians while strengthening our economy, improving Canada's industrial capacity, and creating new opportunities for Canadian businesses to compete in global markets. The non-binding preliminary agreement reflects the principles of the DIS by fostering partnerships that contribute to job creation, innovation, and long-term economic growth at home." – The Honourable Stephen Fuhr, Secretary of State (Defence Procurement)
"The conclusion of this agreement represents an important concrete step in advancing our ongoing efforts to equip the Royal Canadian Air Force with the modern capabilities it needs to support operations. By engaging with industry early, we can leverage their expertise, innovation, and experience, while supporting the key pillars of the Defence Industrial Strategy. Together, we are advancing a capability that will strengthen our security and create value for Canadians." – The Honourable David J. McGuinty, Minister of National Defence
Major Spinoffs for the Aerospace Sector
The advancement of this large-scale project will generate significant demand for specialized talent across numerous fields: aerospace and avionics engineering, electronic mission systems, defence program management, in-service support and logistics, complex systems integration, and specialized training. Quebec and Canadian companies active in these areas are particularly well-positioned to participate in this historic project, which is expected to generate hundreds of direct and indirect jobs in the coming years. The upcoming negotiations on Canadian industrial participation represent a major window of opportunity for aerospace subcontractors and equipment manufacturers.
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