Bombardier regrets the lack of listening from Trudeau’s government and fears it struck an over-the-counter agreement with Boeing for new surveillance planes — a multibillion-dollar contract — rather than a proper call for proposal. .
“I sent four letters to Ottawa. I had a confession, but no discussions really. We hear there’s been a lot of pressure from the other side,” Eric Martel, president and CEO of the aircraft manufacturer, explained Thursday on the 98.5 FM broadcast. [Boeing] Possibly to proceed without a prescription. »
The contract in question is to replace the CP-140 Auroras operated by the National Defense. These are long-range patrol aircraft that will be phased out from 2030. They entered service in 1980. These aircraft can carry eight anti-submarine torpedoes.
It is assumed that the “Canadian multi-mission aircraft” program, worth more than 5 billion, will begin to take shape in 2023. The first deliveries are scheduled for the beginning of the next decade.
Boeing has already raised its hand with the P-8A Poseidon – similar to the 737 family of aircraft. Bombardier would like its global private jets, which can be converted to perform reconnaissance and surveillance missions, to be evaluated by the Canadian government. For the Quebec multinational, the challenge will be convincing Canadian authorities that a smaller device can do the same job as its competitor’s model.
“Yes, there are people [du gouvernement] “Yes, there will be a call for bids,” said Mr. Martel, who listened, but we had no clear answer to say. We do not require that the contract be awarded to us by mutual agreement, but I want at least the opportunity to bid on a product that we consider to be very competitive. »
PHOTO PHILIPPE BOIVIN, LA PRESSE ARCHIVES
Eric Martel is President and CEO of Bombardier.
The Global Family is assembled in the Toronto area. The aircraft is being repurposed in Wichita, Kansas, which was previously responsible for building Learjets. Boeing is being assembled in the United States.
In an email sent to JournalismThe National Defense indicated that “the exact number of platforms to be purchased is still being determined,” without confirming whether there was an invitation to bid. The project’s next steps are expected to be announced in the “new year,” project spokeswoman Jessica Lamirandi wrote.
The American giant did not respond Thursday afternoon to Mr. Martel’s remarks.
Bombardier is much less present than Boeing, Airbus and Embraer in the military sector, but it would like to change that. The company wants to generate about 10% – about 1 billion US dollars – of its annual sales in this segment.
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- 550
- The number of “specialty” business jets built by Bombardier and in use worldwide
Source: bomber
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