TORONTO (AP) — Prime Minister Mark Carney revealed Wednesday that Canada has selected surveillance aircraft manufactured by Sweden’s Saab and Canada’s Bombardier instead of choosing between two competing American alternatives.
The prime minister stated his administration has begun discussions to acquire Saab’s Airborne Early Warning & Control Aircraft, constructed using the Canadian-built Bombardier Global 6500 platform, which will boost domestic manufacturing.
Carney emphasized the aircraft includes 20% U.S. components. The federal government had previously indicated its intent to purchase six surveillance aircraft.
Last year, Canada became part of a significant European Union defense initiative, with Carney working to reduce the country’s military procurement reliance on the United States.
The Saab aircraft feature advanced radar systems that provide awareness of aircraft and missile activity across hundreds of miles. These planes can identify threatening aerial or naval activity and guide fighter aircraft toward their objectives.
“Saab’s GlobalEye will be a key resource for the Canadian Armed Forces to detect and deter threats across the Arctic,” Carney said.
The competing American choices included Boeing’s E-7A Wedgetail surveillance aircraft and L3Harris’s Aeris X system.
NATO is similarly evaluating the Saab aircraft against the American alternatives.
Carney had stated previously that Canadian military equipment purchases would limit U.S. spending to no more than 70 cents per dollar.
Actions by U.S. President Donald Trump — including initiating trade disputes and proposing Canada as America’s 51st state — angered Canadians and established conditions that helped Carney secure the prime minister position after pledging to counter Trump’s escalating hostility.
The Canadian administration is examining its planned F-35 fighter jet acquisition from the U.S. to consider alternatives. Carney indicated that opportunities for increased Canadian production influence decisions. Saab has proposed conducting Gripen fighter jet assembly and maintenance operations within Canada.
