BAE Systems and Bombardier Start Canadian Combat Air Collaboration – Aviation International News

BAE Systems and Bombardier Start Canadian Combat Air Collaboration  Aviation International News

New framework agreement focuses on future combat air capabilities BAE Systems and Bombardier have pledged to collaborate on future combat air capabilities for Canada, augmenting the country’s efforts to bolster its sovereign defense industry. The companies signed a memorandum of understanding on October 28 on the eve of Ottawa’s 2026 Canadian Aerospace Summit, but did not specify the exact programs to be covered by the collaboration. According to UK-based BAE, areas of focus may include aircraft and mission-system design; systems integration; digital engineering and digital thread technologies; advanced manufacturing; and long-term product support, sustainment, and security. Its Canadian partner said the work will “develop complementary industry and technology capabilities that may support future combat air programs.” The partners will now expand on the framework agreement by determining what Bombardier called “practical areas of cooperation" for "future opportunities.” The company said these will help deliver the strategic aims of Canada’s newly-formed Defence Industrial Strategy, launched in February and backed by C$1.8 billion over the next five years.

According to Canadian prime minister Mark Carney, this strategy will “prioritize manufacturing and strategic partnerships with Canadian firms,” which he said will help raise the share of defense acquisitions awarded to Canadian companies to 70%. In July 2026, Canada joined the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) as the venture’s first ‘observer nation,’ alongside founding