Canada intends to purchase early warning radar aircraft from Sweden's Saab and Canada's Bombardier, Prime Minister Mark Carney announced on Wednesday, choosing them over two American alternatives. Carney stated that his government has entered negotiations to acquire Saab's Airborne Early Warning & Control Aircraft, built on the Canadian-manufactured Bombardier Global 6500 platform, which will bolster domestic production. He noted the aircraft contains 20% U.S. content.
Details of the Procurement
The federal government has previously indicated it is seeking six radar aircraft. Canada joined a major European Union defense fund last year, and Carney has emphasized diversifying military spending away from the United States. Equipped with powerful radar, the Saab planes provide situational awareness of aircraft and missile movements over hundreds of miles. They can detect hostile activity in the air or from ships and direct fighter jets to their targets.
"Saab's GlobalEye will be a key resource for the Canadian Armed Forces to detect and deter threats across the Arctic," Carney said. The other options were the E-7A Wedgetail surveillance planes by Boeing and the Aeris X by L3Harris. NATO is also considering the Saab plane over the American options.
Strategic Shift from US Dependence
Carney has previously stated that no more than 70 cents of every dollar of Canadian military capital spending should go to the U.S. U.S. President Donald Trump's actions, including launching a trade war and suggesting Canada become the 51st U.S. state, infuriated Canadians and created the political environment for Carney to win the prime minister post after promising to confront Trump's increased aggression.
The Canadian government is reviewing the planned purchase of U.S. F-35 fighter jets to explore other options. Carney said potential for more production in Canada is a factor. A proposal by Saab promised assembly and maintenance of the Saab Gripen fighter jet would take place in Canada.
