Canada Signs Preliminary Deal to Buy Six Saab GlobalEye Aircraft

Canada signed a preliminary agreement with Swedish defence manufacturer Saab on Friday to acquire six GlobalEye airborne early-warning and control aircraft.

The Canadian Defence Investment Agency said in a news release that the agreement is non-binding. It establishes the scope and framework for further detailed negotiations between the two sides.

Prime Minister Mark Carney established the agency in October last year to streamline and accelerate the country’s military procurement process.

Negotiations between the Canadian government and Saab began on May 27. The initial discussions had included the potential purchase of at least 40 aircraft.

The GlobalEye aircraft will be built in Canada and will primarily be used to monitor the country’s Arctic and northern regions.

In addition to the six aircraft, Canada plans to acquire various GlobalEye equipment and training. A schedule for delivering the equipment and providing the training has not yet been finalized.

“We are working together to build capabilities that will strengthen our security and deliver greater value for Canadians,” Defence Minister David McGuinty said in a statement.

Canada has significantly increased its military and defence spending in recent years, allocating C$65 billion (about US$46 billion) to the sector.

Earlier this week, Carney told The New York Times in an interview that he must also be prepared for “extreme” scenarios, including the possibility of US military intervention on Canadian territory.