Montreal, July 31 - Bombardier Chief Executive Officer Éric Martel announced that the Canadian business jet maker expects to select a domestic site by early 2027 to militarize private aircraft. This strategic expansion will be executed alongside Swedish defense partner Saab to convert executive jets into specialized airborne surveillance platforms for global defense markets.
The planned Canadian facility will mirror Bombardier’s specialized defense operations in Wichita, Kansas, where workers equip empty aircraft with essential wiring, radar, and sensors. Martel emphasized that final site selection will depend heavily on skilled workforce availability, establishing a robust industrial footprint capable of supporting complex military modification contracts efficiently.
This development supports Canada’s defense strategy to purchase Saab GlobalEye early warning planes, reducing reliance on United States defense contractors. Additionally, NATO recently announced a four billion dollar initiative to procure up to ten GlobalEye surveillance aircraft, which utilize Bombardier’s Global series business jets as their primary operational flight platform.
Although the site will initially focus on converting planes for the GlobalEye program, Bombardier plans to adapt operations for other defense missions. This investment significantly strengthens Canadian aerospace manufacturing, generates specialized technical jobs, and reinforces domestic defense sovereignty through homegrown military aviation innovations tailored for allied security needs nationwide today.
