Canada seeking Boeing surveillance aircraft from U.S. to replace aging Aurora fleet

Canada is looking at buying a fleet of military surveillance aircraft from U.S. aerospace giant Boeing without a competition.

The federal Procurement Department says Canada has submitted a letter to the U.S. government asking for more information, including a price, for up to 16 P-8 Poseidon planes and associated equipment.

The department says the request follows discussions with industry and close allies about potential replacements for the Air Force’s aging CP-140 Auroras.

The department says those consultations identified the Poseidon as the only aircraft that could meet Canada’s requirements for a new surveillance aircraft.

The government says the query does not commit Canada to buying the American-made planes.

“The final decision will be based on the capability offered, availability, pricing and benefits to Canadian industry,” the department said in an unsigned statement released late Monday afternoon.

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However, the federal government has announced a series of military purchases without a competition.

Those include Defence Minister Anita Anand’s announcement earlier this month that Canada will be fast-tracking the purchase of new anti-tank, anti-aircraft and anti-drone weapons for the Army.

4:22 Canada must strengthen armed forces ‘for tomorrow’ amid rising global tensions, Anand says

Montreal-based aircraft maker Bombardier, which won a trade dispute with Boeing five years ago, has expressed interest in offering its own aircraft as a potential replacement to the Auroras.

That includes meetings with Anand and Industry Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne.

“Canada has the opportunity to leverage its aerospace industry to provide a multi-mission aircraft that will be the standard for decades to come, at home and abroad as an export,” Bombardier spokesman Mark Masluch said in a statement.

“Bombardier has spoken with ministers Anand and Champagne, and eagerly awaits an answer on when and how we can present a bid, and a solution Canadians will be proud of for decades to come.”