The federal government is putting nearly a billion dollars into the National Research Council for defence initiatives, including the purchase of a Bombardier jet for research.
Ottawa says the $900 million funding envelope is part of its Defence Industrial Strategy, a blueprint released in late February for building out the domestic defence sector.
The funding includes support for drone and aerospace technology and for a new “drone innovation hub” that will operate in the Ottawa and Montreal areas.
The NRC will acquire a Bombardier Global 6500 jet for industry and academics to use to research and develop defence-related technology.
Industry Minister Mélanie Joly, Defence Minister David McGuinty and Secretary of State for Defence Procurement Stephen Fuhr unveiled the new initiatives at an NRC research facility near the Ottawa airport.
Prime Minister Mark Carney’s government is massively ramping up defence spending to meet Canada’s aggressive NATO alliance commitments.
New possible Swedish collaboration could lead to more job creation
In the meantime, Swedish manufacturer Saab has submitted an offer to Canada for a mixed fleet of multirole fighters, including 72 Gripen — some of which could be produced in Canada — as well as GlobalEye surveillance aircraft, based on Bombardier’s Global 6500 business jet.
In its proposal, Saab foresees the creation of 12,600 direct and indirect Canadian jobs.
According to Minister Joly, about 9,000 jobs would be linked to the Gripen, while the assembly of the GlobalEye could generate 3,600 additional jobs at Bombardier.
This potential contract would be in addition to the six multirole surveillance aircraft to be purchased from Bombardier already announced this past December.
Over the past few months, Prime Minister Carney has outlined a defense procurement strategy that includes Bombardier’s Dorval facility. This strategy aims to overhaul Canada’s defense procurement process and boost domestic research and development, as well as strengthen military and industrial cooperation with our European allies and boost investment in domestic defense manufacturing.