Canadian aviation firm Bombardier has signified its intent to compete with Boeing for Canada’s new multi-mission military aircraft.
Teamed with General Dynamics, the Montreal-based company is proposing a modified version of its Global 6500 private jet to replace Ottawa’s aging military planes to support anti-submarine warfare missions.
According to Bombardier, its proposed aircraft will have a price competitive with the P-8A Poseidons being offered by rival Boeing.
A June 27 announcement by the US State Department revealed that the price of 16 Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft had reached $5.9 billion.
Despite not disclosing its own price tag, the Canadian firm said it is “absolutely convinced” that the cost of 16 P-8As is something “Bombardier can compete with.”
“For us to be able to put forward a price, there would have to be a request for proposals, then there would have to be specific requirements,” Bombardier Vice President Pierre Pyun said.
Intense Competition
The new version of Bombardier’s Global 6500 business jet will reportedly feature state-of-the-art sensors from General Dynamics.
The plane so far exists only on paper, and the manufacturers say it will be ready by the early 2030s.
The competition is expected to be tough for the Canadian firm because Boeing’s P-8A Poseidons have been declared the “only currently available aircraft” that meets all Canadian Multi-Mission Aircraft operational requirements.
However, Bombardier said having an aircraft that is already available means it is also nearing the end of its service life.
Boeing disputed the claim, saying it will continue to build military patrol planes as long as there is a demand.