Question Period Note: Airborne Early Warning and Control

On May 27, 2026, the Government of Canada announced it is entering into discussions with Saab of Sweden as the preferred supplier for the Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEWC) capability.

While AEWC is a critical capability for Arctic sovereignty and NORAD modernization, questions have been raised regarding procurement timelines, cost pressures, foreign partnership, interoperability, and workforce capacity.

AEWC is a transformational investment that will give Canada its own airborne early warning capability for the first time. This investment will strengthen Arctic sovereignty, support NORAD, create jobs and deliver industrial benefits.

• The AEWC project will provide Canada with a critical, sovereign airborne surveillance and command capability, strengthening Arctic sovereignty and continental defence
  • Canada is advancing discussions with Saab as the preferred supplier, marking an important step forward while continuing due diligence
  • Engagement with a preferred supplier allows for deeper assessment of technical, operational, and economic considerations, and does not represent a commitment to purchase
  • The proposed solution leverages a Canadian-built aircraft, supporting jobs, industry growth, and supply chains in Canada
  • AEWC will enhance Canada’s ability to detect, track, and respond to evolving threats, while strengthening its role within NORAD
  • The initiative reflects a balanced approach: partnering with trusted allies while maximizing economic and industrial benefits for Canadians
  • Canada is taking a prudent, evidence-based approach to ensure the right capability, value for money, and long-term outcomes

The Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEWC) project will establish a new capability for the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF), providing the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) with airborne command, control, and surveillance functions that Canada does not currently possess.

At present, Canada relies on a combination of ground-based radar, satellites, maritime patrol aircraft, and allied AEW&C platforms to monitor its airspace, particularly in the Arctic. This approach can limit persistent, real-time situational awareness, especially across vast and remote northern regions.

AEW&C aircraft, often described as “flying command centres”, use advanced radar and sensor suites to detect, track, and identify airborne and surface threats at long range, while coordinating responses with fighter aircraft and other assets. These systems are considered a core component of modern air defence and NORAD operations.

The AEWC project is a key element of NORAD modernization and responds to an evolving threat environment that includes advanced cruise missiles, long-range aviation, and emerging technologies operating across air, maritime, and land domains. It will significantly improve Canada’s ability to detect threats earlier, respond more quickly, and operate effectively in the Arctic and other remote regions.

The project is currently in the options analysis phase, during which Canada is assessing capability requirements, costs, industrial benefits, and interoperability considerations. On May 27, 2026, the Government announced it would enter discussions with Saab of Sweden as the preferred supplier to further explore these elements. This step enables more detailed analysis but does not constitute a procurement decision.

The initiative is being advanced by the Defence Investment Agency and aligns with Canada’s Defence Industrial Strategy. Under the BUILD–PARTNER–BUY framework, AEWC reflects the PARTNER approach, leveraging collaboration with trusted allies while supporting Canadian industry, innovation, and economic growth. Supporting Canadian workers is a key objective. The aircraft is manufactured in Canada, and the project is expected to include missionization work, high-skilled jobs, and participation by Canadian companies, strengthening domestic industry.

The proposed GlobalEye solution is based on the Bombardier Global 6500, a Canadian-manufactured aircraft, creating opportunities for domestic production, highly skilled employment, technology transfer, and integration into global aerospace supply chains. This ensures Canada gets the capability it needs while strengthening its own aerospace sector.

AEWC represents a transformational capability that will strengthen Canada’s sovereignty, enhance its contributions to NORAD, and improve its ability to address emerging security challenges at home and abroad.

If pressed on cost:

• Canada is taking a disciplined, phased approach, and no final procurement decision has been made. All options are being carefully assessed to ensure best value for Canadians
• AEWC is a foundational capability that enables Canada to fully leverage other major investments, by providing critical early warning, situational awareness, and battle management
• this is not only a defence investment, but also an investment in Canadian industry, built on a Canadian-manufactured aircraft and expected to support high-skilled jobs, innovation, and supply chains
• the cost must also be viewed in the context of evolving threats, particularly in the Arctic and across North America. AEWC improves our ability to detect and respond early, which helps prevent more costly responses later
• the project will be managed through long-term capital planning, ensuring it remains affordable and aligned with Canada’s broader defence and fiscal priorities

If pressed on process:

• Canada is following a rigorous, step-by-step procurement process, beginning with options analysis to ensure the right capability, value, and outcomes before any decisions are made
• Canada regularly partners with trusted allies to access advanced capabilities while maximizing domestic benefits. In this case, the platform is Canadian-built, and the approach is expected to generate jobs, industrial participation, and technology transfer in Canada.
• identifying Saab as a preferred supplier allows for deeper due diligence, including assessment of technical requirements, costs, interoperability, and economic benefits. It is not a commitment to purchase
• this approach helps reduce risk early, avoid costly changes later, and ensure the project is aligned with operational needs and fiscal responsibilities
• the project is being advanced by the Defence Investment Agency, which is focused on streamlining processes, reducing delays, and accelerating delivery of critical capabilities
• all decisions will continue to be subject to appropriate oversight, value-for-money considerations, and government approval processes

• AEWC will deliver a sovereign airborne command, control, and surveillance (C4ISR) capability for the RCAF

  • It will enable Canada to:
  • detect, track, and respond to air, maritime, and surface threats at long range
  • conduct fighter control and battle management

  • strengthen contributions to NORAD Aerospace Warning and Control (AWAC) missions

  • Canada is currently in the options analysis phase; engagement with Saab does not constitute a procurement decision

  • Expected project scope:
  • supply and sustainment of an AEWC aircraft fleet (quantities to be determined during options analysis), infrastructure and human resources
  • infrastructure includes Aircraft hangars; a squadron facility; a mission support centre; security infrastructure to meet level 3 processing; training and simulation facilities; logistic support facilities; fuel storage; and base housing facilities for additional personnel
  • Funding Range:
  • greater than $5 billion, as identified in the Defence Investment Plan
  • Saab’s GlobalEye solution:
  • • built on the Bombardier Global 6500, a Canadian-manufactured aircraft
  • integrates advanced radar, passive sensors, and mission systems
  • The project aligns with the Defence Industrial Strategy and the BUILD–PARTNER–BUY framework (PARTNER approach)
  • Expected benefits:
  • domestic production and missionization
  • highly skilled jobs
  • technology transfer and industry participation
  • AEWC will significantly improve situational awareness and operational reach, particularly in the Arctic and remote regions