Mississauga, Ontario

Bombardier expands RCAF fleet with six advanced multi-role aircraft

The Government of Canada has purchased six Bombardier Global 6500 aircraft to perform worldwide utility flights and support missions such as aeromedical evacuations, disaster relief, humanitarian aid and national security operations.

Representatives from Bombardier and the federal government celebrated the agreement at Bombardier’s Global Aircraft Assembly Centre in the Greater Toronto Area, where the Global 6500 aircraft is assembled. Interior completion work on these aircraft will be performed in Greater Montreal.

This order is valued for Bombardier at approximately $400m USD, based on the current list price for the Global 6500 aircraft and the cost of military modifications.

The Royal Canadian Air Force, which has operated Bombardier Challenger aircraft since 1983, will benefit from the increased range and capability of the Global 6500 aircraft. Delivery of the first aircraft is expected by summer 2027.

“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 Éric Martel, President and Chief Executive Officer, Bombardier. “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.”

The celebration was attended by the Honourable Stephen Fuhr, Secretary of State for Defence Procurement. “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 Royal Canadian Air Force 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.”

Also in attendance were the Honourable Rechie Valdez, Minister of Women and Gender Equality and Member of Parliament for Mississauga-Streetsville, as well as provincial officials and representatives from the Department of National Defence and the Royal Canadian Air Force.

The Bombardier Global 5500 and Global 6500 aircraft, as well as the Global 8000 aircraft, which recently entered service as the world’s fastest business jet, are manufactured at Bombardier’s state-of-the-art Global Aircraft Assembly Centre. This facility, inaugurated in 2024, represents an investment of over $670m CAD from Bombardier, employs more than 2,000 highly skilled workers, and is a jewel of advanced, high-precision aircraft manufacturing.