Canadian military officials consider threats from Russia and China, including missiles launched from the north, sea or space, among the country’s primary security concerns. The planned aircraft would detect missiles, aircraft and drones and relay information to Canadian Armed Forces systems and allied militaries to coordinate responses.
The main contenders for the contract are Saab’s GlobalEye aircraft and two American systems, the Aeris X developed by L3Harris Technologies and the E-7 Wedgetail produced by Boeing. The Canadian government is also seeking to maximise domestic industrial participation as part of the procurement process.
“In its 2025 electoral platform, the Liberal Party of Canada committed to acquiring Canadian-made Airborne Early Warning and Control aircraft,” said Laurent Blanchard, spokesperson for Secretary of State for Military Procurement Stephen Fuhr. “The government has undertaken a rigorous analysis of the options, moving the procurement forward much faster than usual.”
The debate over the surveillance aircraft has drawn comparisons to Canada’s earlier fighter aircraft competition between the F-35 and Saab Gripen. While Canada has already begun purchasing F-35 fighter jets, the government continues to examine the possibility of operating a mixed fleet that could include Gripen aircraft.
Military analyst Justin Massie said the aircraft competition reflected a broader political and geopolitical decision for Canada. “The decision is becoming political in regards to the geopolitical orientation that Canada wants to give to the Canadian Armed Forces,” Massie said.
“Do we continue to integrate ever more closely with the United States, or do we want to diversify and reduce our dependence by developing stronger ties with Europeans?” he added. Massie is director of the department of political science at Université du Québec à Montréal.
Both the GlobalEye and Aeris X systems are based on Bombardier Global 6500 business jets manufactured in Toronto, offering significant Canadian industrial participation. L3Harris has also proposed integrating radar and surveillance systems at its facilities in Mirabel.
The E-7 Wedgetail is based on the Boeing 737 platform produced in the United States, although Boeing said some integration work could be carried out in Canada. According to experts and government officials cited in the report, each aircraft offers operational advantages while presenting different technical and political challenges.
L3Harris said the Aeris X system provides 360-degree radar coverage and improved interoperability with Royal Canadian Air Force and U.S. military systems. The aircraft uses radar technology produced by Elta Systems, which some experts said could face complications because Canada suspended military export permits to Israel in 2024.
Saab said Canada would participate in the future technological development of the GlobalEye aircraft under its proposal. The company has already signed partnership agreements with CAE and Cohere.
“If Canada moves forward with purchasing GlobalEye, Saab will share the intellectual property and knowledge transfer to Canada to allow for domestic build, maintenance and upgrades to the platform,” said Sierra Fullerton, spokesperson for Saab Canada.
Saab also stated that both the Gripen fighter and GlobalEye surveillance aircraft can operate effectively with Canadian and American systems within NATO and NORAD. Boeing said its E-7 platform had already undergone modifications in several countries and could be adapted to Canadian requirements.
“The E-7 has been modified in four different nations (US, Australia, Korea, and Türkiye) and is being modified in the United Kingdom now,” Boeing spokesperson Cynthia Waldmeier said in an email. “Boeing will work with our Canada customer to determine the best solution for delivering the capability and meeting RCAF’s requirements.”
The Canadian government said the procurement review remains under evaluation by the departments of National Defence and Industry, together with the Defence Investment Agency. Officials said an update on the process is expected in the coming months.
“Canada is working to modernize the way it provides equipment to the men and women of the Canadian Armed Forces, ensuring they receive what they need to protect our sovereignty faster and more effectively,” Blanchard said.
Source: CBC.
