Bombardier Defense to provide three Bombardier Global 6500 aircraft for maritime surveillance in Australia

Bombardier Defense will provide three Global 6500 aircraft to fly maritime surveillance missions for the Australian Border Force. Metrea - the originator and leading provider of effects-as-a-service to national security partners - will operate the aircraft for the Australian Border Force. This program will introduce the Global platform in Australia in a special mission configuration, following many prior successful programs on this platform throughout the world. Bombardier Learjet and Challenger aircraft already perform search-and-rescue and medical evacuation missions in the country.

Michael Anckner, Vice President, Worldwide Sales, Bombardier Defense commented: “The Global 6500 aircraft brings a new level of capability for maritime surveillance, with exceptional range, speed, endurance and reliability. Our teams are proud that this game-changing aircraft is the trusted choice to support the Australian Border Force’s aerial surveillance program.”

Bombardier is well-established in Australia, with a fleet of more than 75 business jets in the country across the Learjet, Challenger and Global families. The company has considerably increased its Australian footprint over the last few years, notably with the  opening of its Melbourne Service Center in 2022 at Essendon Fields Airport in Melbourne, providing exceptional service to the existing fleet in the region. Bombardier also announced  a new Line Maintenance Station in Perth in March 2025.

In May of 2024, Bombardier Defense  opened its first international office in Adelaide, Australia, to provide an enhanced level of service to its special mission customers in this important market. 

Bombardier Global 6500 aircraft offers configurations available to satisfy the most demanding specialized missions around the world. Governments, militaries and operators choose this aircraft for its ideal combination of performance, reliability and flexibility, and the many existing outer-mould line configurations available.