While Bombardier’s internal preference leans toward Pearson, the final decision could be influenced by the size of subsidies offered by provincial governments. Sources indicated that financial incentives from either Ontario or Quebec could determine whether the aircraft is assembled in Toronto or in Dorval, Quebec, near Montreal, where Bombardier produces smaller business jets. The company has estimated the cost of the Pearlson expansion at approximately 500 million Canadian dollars, though Bombardier’s communications office did not comment on this figure.
Saab, Sweden’s largest aerospace firm, selected the Bombardier 6000-series jet, which evolved into the 6500-series, as the platform for the GlobalEye a decade ago. Currently, the airframe is flown to Saab’s main factory in Linköping, Sweden, where it is modified into an airborne early warning and control jet. Saab offered Bombardier the opportunity to build the aircraft under license in Canada due to a lack of domestic production capacity for both the GlobalEye and the Gripen fighter jet.
Bombardier CEO Éric Martel stated in September that the GlobalEye is the company’s current priority, emphasizing a focus on building and finishing the aircraft in Canada. A Bombardier team visited Sweden last month, and more recently, officials met with senior Ontario government representatives to discuss potential subsidies.
Ottawa signed a non-binding term sheet last month for six GlobalEye aircraft. Saab delivered proposals to the Canadian government late last year forecasting that building both the GlobalEye and the Gripen in Canada would create 12,600 jobs. David Morden, senior sales director for the GlobalEye, previously stated that building the entire aircraft in Canada would create 3,000 jobs. Mattias Radstrom, head of media relations at Saab, told The Globe and Mail on Tuesday that the company stands by its previous job creation estimates.
The GlobalEye features a radar system capable of detecting aircraft, missiles, and drones at ranges of up to 650 kilometers. It is also designed to detect and identify ground objects, such as tanks, and maritime targets, including submarine periscopes. Sources noted that Bombardier hopes to begin construction of the expanded factory in 2027. The Globe and Mail is not naming the sources because they were not authorized to speak publicly about the ongoing negotiations.
