Saab is considering establishing a GlobalEye airborne early warning and control aircraft production capability in Canada to increase output as international demand grows. Subject to a firm Canadian contract, the proposed facility could produce up to one-third of expected GlobalEye demand over the next 15 years, although no site or production schedule has been confirmed.
The potential Canadian line would supplement Saab’s existing conversion activity at its Linköping headquarters, where Bombardier-supplied aircraft are transformed into missionised AEW&C platforms. Saab senior sales director David Moden described the Canadian commitment as conditional on a contract, while chief executive Micael Johansson has projected that a fully developed Canadian hub could become operational within five years.
Canada identified Saab as its preferred supplier for a future AEW&C capability in May 2026, and the government later entered non-binding negotiations covering a potential six-aircraft acquisition. NATO has also selected GlobalEye as the intended successor to its Boeing E-3A Sentry fleet and is preparing formal negotiations for up to 10 aircraft.
GlobalEye is based on Bombardier’s Global 6500 business jet. Bombardier is separately seeking a Canadian location for modifications to special-mission aircraft and is discussing possible structural work and equipment installation with Saab. Saab has described its production model as scalable; a standard baseline GlobalEye takes about 48 months from order to delivery. The company has not confirmed whether Canadian production would be linked to a possible Canadian Gripen E fighter selection.