Canada enters negotiations with Saab for GlobalEye radar aircraft

Canada has signed a non-binding term-sheet agreement with the Swedish defense company Saab to advance negotiations for the acquisition of at least six GlobalEye Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) aircraft. The agreement, signed with the Canadian Defence Investment Agency, establishes a framework for detailed discussions regarding aircraft configuration, training, support, and industrial participation.

The GlobalEye system, which utilizes the Canadian-made Bombardier Global 6500 business jet as its platform, is intended to enhance Canada’s ability to detect and track aerial, maritime, and land-based threats. A primary focus of the procurement is the surveillance of the Arctic region and the modernization of the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD).

While the term-sheet is not a final purchase contract, it follows Canada’s May 2026 decision to name Saab as the preferred supplier, bypassing competitors such as Boeing and L3Harris. The program aims to bolster domestic industry, with expectations that the aircraft will be militarized in Canada, potentially supporting thousands of local jobs and integrating Canadian technologies into the systems.