Canada’s federal government announced on Dec. 12 that it will be purchasing a fleet of six Bombardier Global 6500s to replace the aging fleet of 1980s-era Canadair Challengers, with options for an additional four depending on needs. The order is estimated to cost around C$550 million for the aircraft, with an additional $200 million for air crew and maintenance personnel training and modifications required for military service. The Global 6500s will be incorporated into the RCAF but will be available for government and foreign VIP transport as well as for humanitarian missions and natural disaster relief, according to the press release.
“The Global 6500 aircraft is a world-class, made-in-Canada product with the versatility to perform multiple missions, making it the go-to solution for governments around the world,” said Bombardier’s CEO Éric Martel. “Today, the more than 12,000 Canadians who work at Bombardier can take great pride in knowing that this aircraft will now serve their country.”
This purchase falls under the government’s Defence Investment Agency (DIA), overseen by Secretary of State for Defence Procurement Stephen Fuhr.
“The award of this contract to purchase the Global 6500 under the Defence Investment Agency is a turning point in how Canada equips its military,” Minister Fuhr said. “By streamlining processes and cutting red tape, the Defence Investment Agency is accelerating the delivery of the versatile capabilities the RCAF needs. Canada has a world-class aerospace industry, and this investment will harness that strength to create good-paying jobs, drive innovation, and bolster our security.”
The Global 6500s will be built at Bombardier’s plant at Toronto Pearson Airport with completion work in Montreal. First delivery is expected in the summer of 2027. The aircraft’s RCAF type designation has not yet been announced.
