Canada selects Swedish surveillance planes over US bid

Canada announced Wednesday that it would pick Swedish surveillance planes over U.S.-made options as Prime Minister Mark Carney’s government looks to downsize dependence on U.S. defense firms. 

Canada has entered into talks to buy Saab’s GlobalEye early warning jets, which are based on Canadian-made Bombardier Global 6500 aircraft. The deal is projected to support 3,000 jobs in Canada’s aerospace and defense sector. 

Canada picked Saab over Boeing’s E-7 Wedgetail jets, which have been plagued by cost overruns. Another option would have been the Aeris X made by L3Harris. 

“The first job of the government is to keep Canadians safe. Our government is protecting Canadians and supporting our Allies with an approach that transforms defence procurement,” Carney said in a statement. “With our new strategy, we are building our economy and creating careers in the skilled trades,........

© The Hill