Bombardier defense growth helps lift backlog to $21.8 billion as cash flow and profitability strengthen in second quarter

By Hannah Miller (Defence Industry Europe)

Air |
Bombardier defense growth helps lift backlog to $21.8 billion as cash flow and profitability strengthen in second quarter

Photo: Saab.

Bombardier said defense activity helped lift its backlog to $21.8 billion during the second quarter of 2026. The Canadian aircraft manufacturer also reported stronger revenue, profitability and free cash flow.

The backlog increased by $4.3 billion from the end of 2025. Bombardier cited sustained demand from both civil and defense customers.

The company said its Defense business maintained strong activity during the quarter. A robust pipeline of opportunities supported Bombardier’s raised full-year guidance.

Bombardier Chief Executive Éric Martel said the Defense business was expanding alongside the company’s civil operations. “As our Defense business continues to expand in parallel, we remain focused on delivering convenience and care to our customers no matter what platforms they fly around the world.”

Second-quarter revenue rose 6% year over year to $2.15 billion. Bombardier delivered 32 aircraft during the period.

Services revenue reached a quarterly record of $674 million. That figure represented a 14% increase from the previous year.

Adjusted EBITDA increased 9% to $325 million. The adjusted EBITDA margin rose by 50 basis points to 15.1%.

Reported EBIT climbed 10% to $225 million. The reported EBIT margin increased by 40 basis points to 10.5%.

Adjusted net income rose by $140 million to $257 million. Reported net income remained broadly stable at $191 million.

Free cash flow reached $228 million during the quarter. That marked a $392 million improvement from the same period in 2025.

Operating activities generated $338 million in cash. The company recorded a $128 million operating cash outflow a year earlier.

Net investment in property, equipment and intangible assets reached $110 million. That was $74 million higher than in the prior-year quarter.

Demand for the Global 8000 supported a unit book-to-bill ratio of 1.5. Bombardier said the aircraft drove order activity during the period.

Available liquidity stood at about $1.9 billion on June 30. Cash and cash equivalents totaled $1.5 billion.

Bombardier reduced debt by $356 million through repayments and refinancing. The company now has no debt maturities before November 2030.

After the quarter, Bombardier secured a new $750 million revolving credit facility. The five-year secured facility replaced its previous $450 million arrangement.