Canada chooses Saab and Bombardier for early warning radar planes
AP News • • business
Key Points:
- Canada has chosen to procure Saab’s Airborne Early Warning & Control Aircraft, built on Bombardier Global 6500 planes, over American alternatives for its early warning radar fleet.
- The decision supports domestic production, with the aircraft containing 20% U.S. content, and aligns with Canada’s goal to diversify military spending away from U.S. suppliers.
- The Saab GlobalEye planes will enhance Canada’s ability to detect and deter threats across the Arctic by providing extensive radar coverage and directing fighter jets to targets.
- Other options considered included Boeing’s E-7A Wedgetail and L3Harris’s Aeris X, but NATO is also favoring the Saab aircraft.
- Canada is reviewing its planned purchase of U.S. F-35 fighter jets, considering alternatives like Saab’s Gripen, which offers potential for Canadian assembly and maintenance.