Bombardier CEO: In-depth negotiations underway for domestic Canadian production of Saab surveillance aircraft

Bombardier is in advanced talks with Sweden's Saab to build the latter's GlobalEye surveillance aircraft in Canada, as the Quebec-based private planemaker prepares to significantly expand its fast-growing defence business. "GlobalEye is our priority right now," Bombardier chief executive Eric Martel said on Friday, adding that his team had travelled to Sweden again last week. Martel said Bombardier is "committed to doing the manufacturing and final assembly of GlobalEye in Canada". Martel was far more lukewarm on the two companies jointly developing Saab's Gripen fighter jet, as Ottawa weighs whether to scale back its purchase of 88 US-made F-35 fighter jets in favour of the Gripen.