(Montreal) A Commons committee is demanding that Ottawa guarantee a tender process for new military surveillance planes, rather than proceed with a sole-source contract.
Echoing calls from the premiers of Quebec and Ontario, the Standing Committee on National Defense adopted a motion on Thursday asking the federal government to launch a formal call for tenders to choose a replacement for the Royal Canadian Air Force CP-140 Aurora long-range patrol aircraft. The Auroras are scheduled to retire in 2030 after half a century of service.
For months, Bombardier CEO Éric Martel has been urging Ottawa to officially launch a call for tenders for this contract. But Boeing seems to be Ottawa’s favorite with its P-8A Poseidon.
Bombardier wants to offer a modified, but currently non-existent, version of its Global business jet. Mr. Martel defended his case Tuesday before members of the Commons committee.
Bombardier joined forces earlier this year with US company General Dynamics for a patrol aircraft that would be a modified version of its Global 6500 business jet, featuring submarine-hunting technology. The first plane is not expected to roll off the assembly line until the early 2030s.
Industry Minister François-Philippe Champagne did not specify whether there would be a call for tenders — the procurement mechanism has not yet been officially announced.
“We will make the best decision in the interest of Canadians,” said the minister, specifying that the cost, availability and capabilities of the devices will be examined.
Simon Page, assistant deputy minister of the Maritime and Defense Procurement Branch, told the Commons committee on Tuesday that Boeing’s Poseidon was the best aircraft to meet Canada’s operational needs. The federal government has also noted the predominance of Boeing’s P-8 among Canada’s allies.
Bombardier’s CEO argued Tuesday that the government had made critical changes to its criteria — including a much shorter delivery time and an existing product “available on shelves” — without informing industry players. industry. Mr. Martel notably argued that his aircraft would be up to 40% cheaper than that of Boeing and that it would be built and assembled in Montreal and Toronto.
Minister Champagne also underlined on Tuesday that Canadian suppliers supplied both Bombardier and Boeing.
