Canada dumps US spy planes: What could replace them now
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney (Photo: Getty Images)
Canada has decided to purchase Swedish airborne early warning aircraft instead of Boeing's American equivalents. Ottawa is seeking to significantly reduce its military dependence on the US amid political tensions, reports Al Jazeera.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has officially confirmed that the country will acquire a fleet of GlobalEye aircraft from the Swedish company Saab. Previously, Canada had been considering the E-7 Wedgetail from Boeing. However, the American project faced delays, and the aircraft’s projected cost kept rising.
Carney explained the decision as a desire to diversify defense procurement. According to him, the US threatened to annex Canada, which forced Ottawa to look for new partners.
The Swedish system is based on the Bombardier Global 6500 aircraft, which is a Canadian design. So this choice will support a local manufacturer.
Facts and figures about the new deal
Earlier, the military had stated a need for six aircraft. The prime minister has not yet disclosed the exact value of the contract.
"With a suite of advanced sensors and mission systems, Saab’s GlobalEye will be a key resource for the Canadian Armed Forces to detect and deter threats across the Arctic," Carney said during a speech at a conference in Ottawa.
For Sweden, this is a major win. Saab has promised to invest in Canadian research.
“GlobalEye is already creating jobs in Canada, and working with the Canadian supply chain. This decision ties our two nations even closer together," wrote Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson on social media.
Moreover, Arctic defense previously depended on Washington, but Ottawa is now taking responsibility for itself. This covers 4.4 million square kilometres of territory that need to be monitored.
A major deal with Lockheed Martin is now in question. Canada had planned to buy 88 F-35 fighter jets. The government is now exploring the possibility of reducing the order. Swedish Gripen jets could be purchased instead.
Why the US is becoming a less reliable partner
Last year, even before his inauguration, Donald Trump said he wanted to make Canada the 51st US state. In his view, the border between the two countries is artificial.
But relations between the neighbors worsened particularly sharply after Trump took issue with Canada’s ties to China. Washington threatened to impose 100% tariffs on Canadian imports. This infuriated Ottawa. Carney ordered a review of other contracts as well.
Trump also revoked the invitation he had sent to Carney to join the Peace Council. The reason for this decision has not been disclosed.
