Replacement of surveillance aircraft | Bombardier fears preferential treatment for Boeing

“I sent four letters to Ottawa, explained the president and CEO of the aircraft manufacturer, Éric Martel, on Thursday, on the airwaves of 98.5 FM. I had an acknowledgment, but no discussion actually. We have heard that there is a lot of pressure from the other side (Boeing) to move forward perhaps by mutual agreement. »

The contract in question concerns the replacement of the CP-140 Auroras operated by the National Defence. It is a long-range patrol aircraft that will be phased out by 2030. Its entry into service began in 1980. The aircraft can carry eight anti-submarine torpedoes.

Valued at over $5 billion, the “Canadian Multi-Mission Aircraft” program is expected to begin taking shape in 2023. First deliveries are expected early next decade.

Boeing has already raised its hand with its P-8A Poseidon, similar to the 737 family of aircraft. Bombardier would like its Global private jets, which can be converted to perform reconnaissance and surveillance missions, to be evaluated by the Canadian government. For the Quebec multinational, the challenge will be to convince Canadian authorities that a smaller device can do the same job as its rival’s model.

“Yes, there are people (in government) who have listened, but we haven’t gotten a clear answer to say ‘yes, there will be a tender,'” Mr Martel said. We are not asking for the contract to be awarded by mutual agreement, but I do want at least the opportunity to bid on a product that we consider highly competitive. »

The Global Family Assembly is held in the Toronto area. Repurposing an aircraft takes place in Wichita, Kansas, which was once responsible for building Learjets. The Boeing aircraft is assembled in the USA.

In an email sent to The print, Defense National indicated that “the exact number of platforms that will be purchased is still being determined”, without confirming whether there will be a tender. The project’s next steps are expected to be announced in the “new year,” wrote a spokeswoman, Jessica Lamirande.

The American giant had not responded to Mr. Martel’s remarks on Thursday afternoon.

Bombardier is much less present than Boeing, Airbus and Embraer in the military sector, but would like things to change. The company would like to generate around 10% – or about US$1 billion – of its annual revenue.