MONTREAL — May 26, 2026 : Bombardier Defense will supply three Global 6500 aircraft to support maritime surveillance missions for the Australian Border Force (ABF) under a new fixed-wing aerial surveillance programme aimed at strengthening Australia’s border monitoring and national coverage capabilities.
The aircraft will be operated by Metrea, a defence company that provides effects-as-a-service to national security partners, as part of a broader contract awarded by Australia’s Department of Home Affairs to Metrea Australia Pty Ltd. Under the agreement, the Australian Border Force will receive a fleet of 11 fully crewed, technologically advanced fixed-wing aircraft to conduct short- and long-range aerial surveillance missions.
Operations under the programme are scheduled to begin on January 1, 2028, with the fleet expected to provide continuous 24/7, year-round surveillance coverage to enhance maritime monitoring, border protection and national aerial surveillance operations across Australia.
Global 6500 to Strengthen Maritime Surveillance Capability
The three Bombardier Global 6500 aircraft will be adapted in a dedicated special mission configuration to meet the operational requirements of maritime surveillance. Their introduction will support the transition to enhanced fixed-wing aerial surveillance capabilities under the new Metrea-operated contract for the Australian Border Force.
Bombardier said the Global 6500 is designed for missions requiring long range, speed, endurance and reliability, making it suitable for extended maritime patrol operations over large operational areas.
The aircraft has a range of 6,600 nautical miles, a maximum operating speed of Mach 0.90 and endurance exceeding 18 hours. Bombardier also highlighted the platform’s class-leading electrical power generation capacity for mission systems and ample cabin space, enabling the integration of specialised surveillance equipment and mission personnel.
“The Global 6500 aircraft brings a new level of capability for maritime surveillance, with exceptional range, speed, endurance and reliability,” said Michael Anckner, Vice President, Worldwide Sales at Bombardier Defense.
“Our teams are proud that this game-changing aircraft is the trusted choice to support the Australian Border Force’s aerial surveillance program,” he added.
Expansion of Bombardier’s Special Mission Presence in Australia
The programme will introduce Bombardier’s Global aircraft platform into Australia in a dedicated special mission role, further expanding the company’s footprint in the country’s defence and security aviation sector.
Bombardier has previously supported several special mission programmes worldwide using the Global platform, while its Learjet and Challenger aircraft are already used in Australia for search-and-rescue and medical evacuation operations.
The company currently has more than 75 business aircraft operating across Australia within its Learjet, Challenger and Global families and has expanded regional infrastructure to support both commercial and special mission customers.
In 2022, Bombardier opened a Melbourne Service Centre at Essendon Fields Airport to strengthen support for operators in the region. In May 2024, Bombardier Defense established its first international office in Adelaide to provide dedicated assistance for special mission customers in Australia. The company later announced a new Line Maintenance Station in Perth in March 2025 to expand sustainment and maintenance support.
Global 6500 Platform for Government and Military Missions
Bombardier Defense stated that governments, military operators and mission partners select the Global 6500 for specialised operations due to its combination of performance, reliability, flexibility and outer-mould line configuration options.
The company combines Challenger and Global aircraft platforms with engineering, maintenance and mission integration expertise to deliver customised solutions for government and defence customers. Through its worldwide support network, Bombardier aircraft are used for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), airborne early warning and control (AEW&C), border and maritime patrol, head-of-state transport, medical evacuation, humanitarian assistance and multi-role operations.
——— End of Article ———
