Canada to buy six Saab GlobalEye surveillance planes

The Canadian government has entered into negotiations to purchase a fleet of airborne early warning and control aircraft from Swedish defense company Saab, Prime Minister Mark Carney announced Wednesday. The decision selects Saab's GlobalEye system over competing American options for a contract to supply the Royal Canadian Air Force.

Carney made the announcement at the CANSEC defence and security trade show in Ottawa, marking the first time a sitting prime minister has attended the annual event. The government has previously stated it is seeking six radar aircraft to enhance national surveillance capabilities.

The selected aircraft is the Saab GlobalEye, an advanced surveillance platform built upon the Canadian-manufactured Bombardier Global 6500 business jet. Carney noted the aircraft includes 20 percent United States content, which he said illustrates the integrated nature of modern defence systems. He stated the partnership would establish Canadian-based production capabilities, including aircraft conversion, engineering collaboration, and research and development.

In his remarks, the prime minister emphasized the strategic need for the new capability, specifically citing...