Bombardier and BAE Systems to collaborate on advanced air combat capabilities for Canada
Areas of focus may include aircraft and mission-system design, systems integration, digital engineering and advanced manufacturing.
Canadian airframer Bombardier and UK defence manufacturer BAE Systems will collaborate on developing advanced air combat technologies for Canada.
The new partnership could include a next-generation aircraft or more general capabilities that support the production of defence equipment, such as mission-system design, systems integration, digital engineering, advanced manufacturing, and long-term product support and sustainment.
The two companies announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on 28 October in Ottawa, where the 2026 Canadian Aerospace Summit is taking place.
“This agreement marks an important step in our ambition to strengthen international partnerships that support the future of combat air. We’re excited by the opportunity to collaborate with Bombardier to help deliver the strategic aims of Canada’s Defence Industrial Strategy,” says Simon Barnes, group managing director of BAE’s air sector.
Political shift
Canada is in the midst of a generational military modernisation, with a particular focus on the Royal Canadian Air Force. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has laid out a vision for that transition that focuses on developing the country’s domestic defence industry and reducing reliance on traditional suppliers in the US.
“The days of our military sending 70 cents of every dollar to the United States are over,” Carney said this past April. “When the federal government spends, we will select Canadian suppliers by default.”
In 2025, the Carney Government created the Defence Investment Agency to streamline and accelerate military procurement. Canada’s House of Commons is currently weighing a measure that would convert the agency into a Crown corporation, giving it expanded authority to negotiate procurement contracts and make strategic investments in the defence sector.
Bombardier moves into defence
Although best known as a supplier of business jets, Bombardier has a burgeoning defence business and is one of Canada’s leading manufacturers. The company’s Global 6000/6500 aircraft have become an increasingly popular choice for special mission aircraft, including electronic warfare and airborne surveillance.
Under that concept, Bombardier provides ‘green’ aircraft to military systems integrators such as L3Harris and Saab, which convert the business jets into militarised platforms.
The new partnership with BAE could see the Montreal-based manufacturer become a defence powerhouse in its own right.
“Bombardier has a proud history of designing, building and supporting world-class aircraft while advancing aerospace technology,” says Stephen McCullough, Bombardier’s executive vice-president of engineering and product development and head of Bombardier Defense.
“This MoU with BAE Systems provides a clear framework to explore how these capabilities can support next-generation defence programmes, while strengthening industrial capacity, high-value jobs and long-term aerospace leadership,” he adds.
Swedish connection
Bombardier is separately expected to benefit from a Canadian acquisition of six GlobalEye airborne early warning and control aircraft from Swedish airframer Saab. The GlobalEye is based on Bombardier’s Global 6500 business jet.
Saab is in talks with the Canadian government over the GlobalEye sale, with the possibility of establishing a local production line in Canada. An assembly site in Canada is part of Saab’s plan to expand its GlobalEye production capacity to six aircraft annually.
The Swedish manufacturer is also offering Ottawa a package of Gripen E/F tactical fighters that includes domestic assembly and significant partnerships with Canadian aerospace players.
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