The Government of Canada is committed to rebuilding, rearming and reinvesting in the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF). Today, the Honourable Stephen Fuhr, Secretary of State (Defence Procurement), the Honourable Rechie Valdez, Minister of Women and Gender Equality and Secretary of State (Small Business and Tourism), and Karim Bardeesy, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Industry, announced that Canada has awarded a contract to Bombardier to acquire 6 Canadian-built Global 6500 aircraft for the Royal Canadian Air Force under the Airlift Capability Project - Multi-role Flight Service.
As one of the initial procurements under the new Defence Investment Agency (DIA), the investment in the Global 6500 will provide a modern, versatile replacement for the current CC-144 Challenger fleet to perform worldwide utility flights and support missions such as aeromedical evacuations, disaster relief, humanitarian aid and national security operations. The estimated value of the contract is approximately $753 million (CAD), with the first aircraft expected to be delivered by summer 2027, and initial operational capability achieved by the end of 2027, prioritizing a streamlined approach with the DIA. The contract also includes training for aircrew and maintenance personnel as well as and military modifications.
The Government of Canada has selected a world-leading Canadian-based firm with global reach that will leverage its footprint across the country to help meet the needs of the CAF, and will invest in Canada's industrial base. This includes the more than 60 Canadian suppliers who will support the production of the aircraft. Through this contract, Bombardier will support Canada's aerospace ecosystem by working with small and medium-sized businesses and advancing research and development initiatives that benefit the domestic supply chain. This contract is also projected to create over 900 direct and indirect Canadian jobs associated to the aircraft manufacturing activities, including the supply chain.
