OTTAWA — May 31, 2026 : The Canadian government has entered formal negotiations with Swedish defence company Saab to acquire the GlobalEye Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) aircraft as part of a wider effort to strengthen Arctic surveillance, modernize NORAD contributions, and support domestic aerospace manufacturing.
Prime Minister Mark Carney announced the decision on May 27 during the CANSEC defence exhibition in Ottawa, confirming Saab as the preferred supplier for the programme.
The Department of National Defence is expected to acquire six GlobalEye aircraft in a project valued at more than C$5 billion, covering aircraft procurement, infrastructure, training, and long-term support. A final contract has not yet been signed.
The GlobalEye was selected following a competition involving Boeing’s E-7 Wedgetail and L3Harris’ Aeris X platform. Both GlobalEye and Aeris X are based on the Toronto-built Bombardier Global 6500 business jet, while Boeing offered the U.S.-built E-7 platform.
Arctic Security and NORAD Modernization
Canadian officials said the procurement responds to growing security requirements in the Arctic, where large distances and limited infrastructure create challenges for continuous monitoring.
Government officials noted that Russia has expanded military infrastructure in northern regions, including radar stations, airfields, naval facilities, missile defence systems, and sites supporting long-range bomber operations. China has also increased its Arctic presence through scientific research, satellite infrastructure, shipping routes, and dual-use technologies.
The GlobalEye fleet is intended to improve surveillance over Canada’s northern approaches by providing mobile sensor coverage alongside fixed radar systems. Officials said the aircraft will strengthen Canada’s role in the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) and improve early warning capabilities.
According to the Canadian government, the aircraft will help detect threats such as cruise missiles, hypersonic weapons, and long-range unmanned systems earlier than ground-based systems alone, providing additional response time.
Aircraft Capabilities
The GlobalEye is built on the Bombardier Global 6000/6500 long-range business jet manufactured in Toronto and equipped with Saab’s Erieye Extended Range radar, an Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) system.
The aircraft can simultaneously monitor air, sea, and land activity and track objects and signals at distances of up to 650 kilometres. Its sensor package includes electro-optical systems, electronic support measures, maritime surveillance radar, and command-and-control systems capable of sharing real-time information with military headquarters, naval forces, fighter aircraft, and allied networks.
Officials said the AESA radar provides faster target updates, improved resistance to jamming, and better detection of low-flying and low-observable targets.
The GlobalEye is intended to replace the operational role traditionally associated with older airborne warning aircraft such as the Boeing E-3 Sentry AWACS while offering a lower-maintenance and more fuel-efficient platform.
Industrial Impact
Prime Minister Carney stated that at least one-third of an estimated GlobalEye production pipeline of around 40 aircraft over the next 15 years, including expected allied orders, will be manufactured in Canada.
The government estimates the programme will support approximately 3,000 jobs in Canada’s aerospace and defence sector, including engineering, technical, and manufacturing roles.
Following the announcement, Saab CEO Micael Johansson said Saab plans to establish an industrial collaboration hub in Canada alongside Bombardier to support production and long-term programme requirements.
The acquisition aligns with Canada’s Defence Industrial Strategy, which outlines approximately C$180 billion in defence procurement opportunities and C$290 billion in defence-related capital investment over the next decade.
Defence Partnerships and Timeline
Defence Minister David McGuinty said the programme reflects Canada’s effort to diversify defence partnerships and reduce long-term reliance on U.S.-controlled supply chains by working with technologically advanced allied countries.
The GlobalEye platform is already in service or on order with countries including the United Arab Emirates and Sweden, while France announced plans in 2025 to procure the aircraft.
The selection also represents an accelerated timeline for Canada’s airborne surveillance programme. In late 2025, the government expected programme requirements to begin in 2032, with initial deliveries planned for 2037 or 2038.
No timeline has been announced for final contract signing with Saab.
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