Prime Minister Mark Carney announced Wednesday that Canada is entering negotiations with Swedish military contractor Saab to potentially purchase an unspecified number of GlobalEye Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) aircraft. The announcement was made as Ottawa prepares to welcome the annual CANSEC defence and security trade show, happening this week in the nation's capital.
Boosting Surveillance Capabilities
"With its suite of advanced sensors and mission systems, Saab's GlobalEye will be a key resource for the Canadian armed forces to detect and deter threats across the Arctic," Carney said during a morning address, the first time a Canadian PM has spoken at CANSEC. "GlobalEye's airborne surveillance capability can track objects and signals up to 650 km away, and they'll share, in real time, that information with the Canadian Forces and our allies."
Carney, who in his speech amusingly kept referring to the platform as "GoldenEye" — the Soviet orbital nuclear superweapon featured in the eponymous 1995 James Bond film — said the potential purchase is part of his government's pledge to bolster defence spending to meet NATO benchmarks.
Aircraft to Be Built in Mississauga
While no formal deal to purchase the aircraft has yet been signed, Canada has previously indicated interest in purchasing six surveillance planes for the Royal Canadian Air Force. The planes, using Saab hardware, will be based on the Canada-made Bombardier Global 6500 business jet — formerly made at the company's now-shuttered Downsview plant before production was moved to Mississauga in 2024.
In a statement from Saab, the company states they've offered to build, maintain and upgrade Canadian GlobalEye aircraft with a team of Canadian partners, with the goal of transferring this knowledge in order to help bolster Canada's domestic defence industry.
"GlobalEye offers proven capability for the Royal Canadian Air Force, sovereign ownership for Canada and comprehensive and skilled work for Canadian industry," said Saab president and CEO Micael Johansson in a statement. Saab says they will also invest in Canadian R&D to support the initiative.
This potential acquisition comes as part of a broader effort by the Canadian government to modernize its military equipment and enhance its ability to monitor and protect its vast Arctic territory. The GlobalEye system is known for its advanced radar and sensor suite, which can detect and track both airborne and maritime targets at long ranges, providing critical situational awareness to military commanders.
The deal could significantly strengthen Canada's surveillance capabilities, particularly in the Arctic region, where climate change is opening up new shipping routes and increasing strategic interest from global powers. By integrating the GlobalEye into its fleet, Canada would be better equipped to monitor its northern borders and respond to potential threats.
