With the aim of modernizing its light air transport fleet and replacing the aging CC-144 Challenger aircraft, the Government of Canada has confirmed the acquisition of six Bombardier Global 6500 aircraft for the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF). The procurement falls under the Airlift Capability Project – Multi-role Flight Service (ACP-MFS) program and represents an investment of 753 million Canadian dollars, as announced by the Defence Investment Agency (DIA) on December 12, 2025.
The new aircraft, built by Bombardier Aerospace, will provide the RCAF with a modern and versatile platform intended to carry out administrative transport, medical evacuation, humanitarian assistance, and support for national and international operations. The new Global 6500s will offer greater range, efficiency, and passenger capacity, in addition to incorporating state-of-the-art communication and navigation systems, thereby enhancing the force’s power projection and operational flexibility.
With a range exceeding 11,000 kilometers, the Global 6500 is positioned as the natural replacement for the CC-144 Challenger, aircraft that have been part of the 412 Transport Squadron based in Ottawa since 1983. The Challengers, derived from the Canadair CL-600, have for decades carried out transport duties for government authorities, diplomatic missions, and medical evacuations, as well as providing support for humanitarian and national security tasks, constituting a key asset within the RCAF’s strategic airlift capabilities.
The contract with Bombardier—one of the first managed under the DIA—includes training for future aircrews and technical personnel assigned to the new aircraft, as well as specific modifications tailored to the operational requirements of the force. According to the official schedule, the first deliveries will take place in the summer of 2027, with initial operational capability expected by the end of that year and full operational capability planned for 2032.
The program also includes a strong industrial and technological component: more than 60 Canadian suppliers will participate in production, generating around 900 direct and indirect jobs in Quebec and Ontario. Bombardier will work alongside small and medium-sized enterprises in the sector to promote new lines of research and development, strengthening the country’s aerospace industrial base.
With this acquisition, Canada seeks to reinforce its response capability and air mobility, while ensuring the renewal of a fleet with more than four decades of service. The replacement of the Challenger aircraft with the Global 6500 therefore represents a concrete step in the modernization and rationalization of the RCAF’s air assets, aimed at guaranteeing greater efficiency and sustainability in force operations.
*Images used for illustrative purposes.
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