Ms. Louise Solomita reports

BOMBARDIER STATEMENT ON GOVERNMENT OF CANADA INTENTION REGARDING NEW AIRBORNE EARLY WARNING & CONTROL FLEET

Bombardier Inc. has applauded the federal government's decision to invest in Canadian industry by favouring a made-in-Canada solution based on the Bombardier Global 6500 aircraft. It also would like to congratulate its long-standing partner Saab on being selected as the preferred supplier for Canada's airborne early warning and control fleet with its GlobalEye solution.

The intention to bring GlobalEye modification and integration work to Canada, to be carried out by skilled Canadian aerospace workers, is a perfect example of a robust and comprehensive defence industrial strategy at work, focused on building in Canada.

For years, Bombardier has proudly delivered its Global aircraft to Saab to be transformed into the GlobalEye. This Canadian announcement creates the potential for a wider collaboration: Bombardier is entering into discussions with Saab to lead the modification program and lead Canada's industrial role in potential exports of this solution -- all to maximize Canada's long-term benefits from this strategic purchase.

The company has the expertise, it has a long-standing and successful relationship with Saab, and it has decades of experience delivering and modifying aircraft for the world's most demanding missions.

This is a positive signal for Canadian industry and for its military, which stand to benefit from a modern, state-of-the-art surveillance solution for the vast nation.

This announcement further highlights the versatility of the Bombardier Global 6500 aircraft, as well as its growing role in Canada. In December, the federal government announced the purchase of six Global 6500 aircraft to enhance the Royal Canadian Air Force's multimission air transport capability, and, in March, the National Research Council announced it acquired a Global 6500 aircraft for critical research and development activities.