- The National Research Council of Canada has acquired a Bombardier Global 6500 aircraft to support advanced defence and dual‑use research
- The acquisition was highlighted at an event in Ottawa attended by federal ministers and NRC leadership
- The aircraft will serve as a mission‑configurable research platform, complementing the government’s broader use of Global 6500 jets for national security and humanitarian operations
- Bombardier stock (TSX:BBD.A) opened trading at C$242.23
The National Research Council of Canada (NRC) has added a Bombardier Global 6500 aircraft (pictured above) to its Aerospace Research Centre fleet, expanding the organization’s capacity to support advanced research and development for defence and dual‑use applications.
The aircraft will serve as a next‑generation, high‑performance platform intended to help Canadian partners test and demonstrate emerging technologies across a wide range of military and government needs.
The acquisition was highlighted during a Government of Canada event held at the NRC’s Ottawa hangar. Attendees included the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions; the Honourable David J. McGuinty, Minister of National Defence; the Honourable Stephen Fuhr, Secretary of State for Defence Procurement; and NRC President Mitch Davies.
“The Global 6500 is a proven and highly adaptable platform, chosen for diverse mission profiles around the world, and it will continue to contribute to the advancement of innovation across Canada’s defence and aerospace ecosystems, as well as those of allied countries,” Stephen McCullough, executive vice president, engineering, product development at Bombardier Defence said in a news release.
According to the NRC, integrating the Global 6500 into its fleet aligns with the government’s broader commitment to modernizing defence and research capabilities. The purchase complements the federal government’s December 2025 order of six Global 6500 aircraft for global utility flights and critical missions, including aeromedical evacuations, disaster relief, humanitarian support, and national security operations.
Bombardier (TSX:BBD.A) has supplied specialized aircraft to governments worldwide for several decades, and the company has adapted the Global 6500 platform for scientific, governmental, and special‑mission requirements. Its design includes a mission‑configurable cabin, long‑range performance, and an electrical and structural architecture that can accommodate the installation of research equipment, sensors, and mission systems. The NRC expects these features to provide a flexible and long‑term foundation for innovation in support of Canadian defence priorities.
The aircraft was assembled at Bombardier’s facility in Mississauga, Ontario, drawing on contributions from more than 65 Canadian suppliers. As part of the NRC agreement, additional mission‑specific modifications will be completed in Canada.
Bombardier’s business jets are used in various defence roles globally, including airborne early warning and control, intelligence gathering, surveillance, reconnaissance, signals intelligence, multi‑role operations, head‑of‑state transport, medevac, and humanitarian assistance. The company has positioned its Global platform as adaptable for evolving system integration needs throughout an aircraft’s service life.
The NRC stated that the new aircraft will be used to support research initiatives that strengthen Canada’s national security, scientific capability, and defence‑related technology development.
About Bombardier
Bombardier builds jets for businesses, governments and militaries around the world. The company’s customers operate a fleet of more than 5,200 aircraft supported by 10 service facilities across six countries. Manufacturing activities are based in Canada, Mexico and the United States.
Bombardier stock (TSX:BBD.A) opened trading at C$242.23 and has risen nearly 220 per cent since this time last year.
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