Bombardier to provide six multi-role aircraft to support the Royal Canadian Air Force

Government of Canada has purchased six Global 6500 aircraft to perform worldwide utility flights and support missions such as aeromedical evacuations, disaster relief, humanitarian aid and national security operations. Representatives from Bombardier and the federal government celebrated this agreement today at Bombardier’s Global Aircraft Assembly Centre in the Greater Toronto Area, where the Global 6500 aircraft is assembled. Interior completion work on these aircraft will be performed in Greater Montreal.

Éric Martel, President and Chief Executive Officer, Bombardier commented: “The Global 6500 aircraft is a world-class, made-in-Canada product with the versatility to perform multiple missions, making it the go-to solution for governments around the world. Today, the more than 12,000 Canadians who work at Bombardier can take great pride in knowing that this aircraft will now serve their country.”

This order is valued for Bombardier at approximately $400 million U.S., based on the current list price for the Global 6500 aircraft and the cost of military modifications. The Royal Canadian Air Force, which has operated Bombardier Challenger aircraft since 1983, will benefit from the increased range and capability of the Global 6500 aircraft. Delivery of the first aircraft is expected by summer 2027.

Friday’s event was attended by the Honourable Stephen Fuhr, Secretary of State for Defence Procurement. “The award of this contract to purchase the Global 6500 under the Defence Investment Agency is a turning point in how Canada equips its military,” Minister Fuhr said. “By streamlining processes and cutting red tape, the Defence Investment Agency is accelerating the delivery of the versatile capabilities the Royal Canadian Air Force needs. Canada has a world-class aerospace industry, and this investment will harness that strength to create good-paying jobs, drive innovation, and bolster our security.”

Also in attendance were the Honourable Rechie Valdez, Minister of Women and Gender Equality and Member of Parliament for Mississauga-Streetsville, as well as provincial officials and representatives from the Department of National Defence and the Royal Canadian Air Force.

Bombardier Global 5500 and Global 6500 aircraft, as well as the Global 8000* aircraft, which recently entered service as the world’s fastest business jet, are manufactured at Bombardier’s state-of-the-art Global Aircraft Assembly Centre. This facility, inaugurated in 2024, represents an investment of over $670 million CAD from Bombardier, employs more than 2,000 highly skilled workers, and is a jewel of advanced, high-precision aircraft manufacturing.

Bombardier is proud to draw upon Canada’s world class aerospace supply chain. The Global 6500aircraft benefits from the contribution of more than 60 Canadian suppliers. A PwC report commissioned by Bombardier calculated that the total economic footprint (direct, indirect, and induced impacts) supported in Canada from Bombardier’s Global 6500 manufacturing activities in 2022 was $518.3 million in GDP, 3,747 full-time equivalent (FTE) jobs, and $309.1 million in labour income.

Bombardier has published an Environment Product Declaration for the Global 6500 aircraft, which is a detailed communication of the environmental performance and footprint of the aircraft from a full life-cycle perspective.Thousands of parts of the aircraft have been analyzed for their environmental impact, offering transparency and benchmarks from which improvements can be made.

Bombardier business jets are recognized around the world for their performance and reliability, and are ideal for defense missions including Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance, Airborne Early Warning & Control, border and maritime patrol, multi-role, head of state transport, medevac, urgent humanitarian assistance and more.  The Global 6500 aircraft in particular is the go-to choice for governments around the world looking to modernize their airborne defense capabilities. Bombardier is known for its flexible, collaborative approach, building long-term relationships with governments and militaries, and joining forces with the world’s most advanced mission system providers to provide proven, reliable and advanced defence solutions.