Quick Read
- Canada is purchasing six Bombardier Global 6500 jets for the Royal Canadian Air Force in a $753-million deal.
- The Global 6500 offers over twice the range of the current Challenger fleet and will be delivered starting summer 2027.
- Bombardier assembles the jets in Mississauga and completes interiors in Dorval, creating about 900 jobs.
- The deal includes military modifications, crew training, and aims to modernize government aviation capabilities.
- Bombardier’s defense business is expanding globally, with recent contracts in the U.S. and South Korea.
Canada’s Strategic Move: Why the Bombardier Global 6500?
In December 2025, Canada’s federal government announced a landmark $753-million contract to acquire six Bombardier Global 6500 jets for the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF), a decision that signals much more than just a fleet upgrade. The purchase is set to replace the aging CC-144 Challenger jets, which have served for decades as the backbone of government and military transport. But why the Global 6500, and why now?
The answer lies in a combination of technical prowess, domestic job creation, and the pressing need for modernization. As Montreal Gazette reports, Bombardier’s Global 6500 boasts a maximum range of 12,223 kilometers—more than double that of the Challenger’s 5,926 km—giving Canadian officials and military personnel greater reach for diplomatic missions, humanitarian aid, and medical evacuations. With a cruising speed that surpasses the Challenger’s top speed, the Global 6500 is designed for efficiency and reliability in high-stakes situations.
Impact on Canadian Aerospace: Jobs, Innovation, and National Pride
Beyond its military significance, the deal is a powerful shot in the arm for Canadian aerospace. Bombardier, which assembles the Global 6500 in Mississauga, Ontario and completes interiors in Dorval, Quebec, estimates the order will be worth about $550 million to the company after accounting for military modifications. According to the office of Quebec’s Economy Minister Christine Fréchette, around 900 direct and indirect jobs will be created, nearly half in Quebec.
Éric Martel, Bombardier’s president and CEO, emphasized the pride this brings to the company’s 12,000 Canadian employees. “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,” he said. For Canada’s aerospace sector, which has weathered trade tensions and global recession fears in recent years, the contract represents tangible growth and renewed momentum.
Replacing the Challenger: A Long-Awaited Transition
The RCAF’s Challenger fleet has seen its share of controversy and operational headaches. Critics have long questioned the cost of maintaining executive jets for government use, especially compared to commercial alternatives. Maintenance issues have occasionally stranded officials abroad, as seen last January when a Challenger carrying then-prime minister Justin Trudeau required emergency repairs in Jamaica. And just this October, Prime Minister Mark Carney had to charter a commercial plane for a Gaza peace summit due to the unavailability of military aircraft—at a cost of at least $736,466, as revealed in Parliament.
Two of the current Challengers were purchased in 2020, replacing models from the 1980s that defense officials warned would soon become obsolete under international aviation regulations. The transition to Global 6500 jets, scheduled to begin delivery in summer 2027 with operational capability by year’s end, is designed to solve these persistent challenges, modernizing the fleet for the realities of 21st-century government and military operations.
Global Reach: Bombardier’s Growing Defense Portfolio
This Canadian investment dovetails with Bombardier’s broader strategy to expand its defense business worldwide. Recent deals include supplying communications planes to the U.S. Air Force and spy planes to the U.S. Army, the latter valued up to $465 million. The company has become a favored partner for defense contractors who modify its jets for specialized missions.
One standout example: In October, U.S. defense giant L3Harris secured a $2.26 billion contract to deliver modified Global 6500 jets—equipped with advanced airborne early warning and control systems—to the Republic of Korea Air Force. Swedish defense firm Saab has also pitched its GlobalEye early warning aircraft, based on Bombardier’s 6000-series jets, promising to manufacture them in Canada if selected for Canadian contracts.
This international recognition underscores the versatility and reputation of the Global 6500 platform, reinforcing Canada’s position not only as a customer but also as a key player in the global defense aviation market.
Balancing Cost, Capability, and Criticism
Despite the clear advantages, the purchase hasn’t been immune to scrutiny. Opposition parties have pointed to the high costs associated with operating military jets for government travel, questioning whether such expenditures are justified when commercial options exist. The government, however, maintains that the unique requirements of national security, medical evacuation, and rapid humanitarian response necessitate a dedicated, modern fleet.
The $753 million deal includes not only the aircraft but also military modifications and comprehensive training for aircrew and maintenance personnel—an investment in both hardware and human capital. The hope is that the new jets will reduce operational headaches and provide a more reliable, flexible platform for the diverse demands placed on Canada’s air force.
Looking Ahead: Delivery Timeline and Future Prospects
The first Global 6500 is slated for delivery by summer 2027, with full operational capability expected by the end of that year. For Bombardier and the Canadian aerospace sector, the contract signals a new era: one where innovation, jobs, and national pride converge in a high-profile government partnership.
With defense contracts expanding globally and domestic investments rising, Bombardier’s Global 6500 jets are set to play a pivotal role—not just in Canadian skies, but on the world stage.
Canada’s investment in the Bombardier Global 6500 jets is more than a fleet update—it’s a strategic statement about modernization, national industry, and the future of government aviation. By choosing a Canadian-made solution with global credibility, the government is betting on long-term capability and economic growth, even as it faces ongoing debates about cost and necessity.