CAE and Saab Partner for GlobalEye AEW&C Training and Defense Solutions

A Strategic Alliance for Future Defense Training

In a significant development for the global aerospace and defense sectors, CAE and Saab have formally entered into a strategic partnership. Signed on November 20, 2025, during the state visit of Their Majesties the King and Queen of Sweden to Canada, this agreement positions CAE as the preferred supplier of training and simulation solutions for Saab’s GlobalEye Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) aircraft. This collaboration marks a pivotal moment for both companies as they combine Swedish sensor technology with Canadian aviation and simulation expertise.

The agreement is twofold in its scope. First, it establishes a global framework where CAE will support future international sales of the GlobalEye platform with its world-class Training systems. Second, and perhaps more critical for the domestic market, the deal includes a specific commitment to jointly pursue Canada’s upcoming AEW&C defense procurement program. This move effectively creates a “home-grown” alternative for the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF), leveraging domestic manufacturing and training capabilities to meet national security needs.

We view this partnership as a strategic alignment of capabilities. By integrating Saab’s advanced radar systems with CAE’s simulation leadership, the alliance aims to deliver a comprehensive readiness solution. The timing of this announcement, coinciding with high-level diplomatic engagements between Sweden and Canada, underscores the deepening defense ties between the two nations, particularly regarding Arctic security and surveillance.

The GlobalEye Platform: A Technical Overview

To understand the significance of this training agreement, we must first look at the hardware involved. The Saab GlobalEye is not a traditional Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) that focuses solely on aerial threats. It is a multi-role platform designed for simultaneous surveillance across air, sea, and land domains. Built upon the Canadian-made Bombardier Global 6000/6500 long-range business jet, the aircraft offers an endurance of over 11 hours, making it well-suited for long-duration patrol missions.

The core of the GlobalEye’s capability is the Erieye ER (Extended Range) Radar-Systems, mounted in a distinctive “ski-box” atop the fuselage. This sensor suite allows operators to detect stealthy aerial threats, track moving vehicles on land, and monitor maritime targets such as jet skis or periscopes at significant distances. The complexity of managing these multi-domain data streams requires a highly sophisticated crew, which is where the training solution becomes paramount.

Under the new agreement, CAE is tasked with developing a training ecosystem that mirrors this complexity. This likely involves the deployment of Full-Flight Simulators (FFS), potentially based on the CAE 7000XR Series, which are Level D simulators capable of replicating the Bombardier cockpit with the highest fidelity. Furthermore, the training solution is expected to include mission crew trainers for the radar operators and command staff, ensuring that the “rear crew” can practice complex tactical scenarios in a virtual environment before taking to the skies.

“The agreement between Saab and CAE sets the stage for a global AEW&C training franchise anchored in Canada.” , Matt Bromberg, President and CEO, CAE

Implications for the Canadian Defense Industry

The partnership addresses a specific and lucrative opportunity: the battle to replace and augment Canada’s surveillance capabilities. The RCAF has identified a need for a new AEW&C platform to better monitor the Arctic and fulfill NORAD commitments. While the budget for this acquisition is estimated at approximately CAD 5.5 billion, the competition is fierce. The primary competitor is the Boeing E-7 Wedgetail, a platform already selected by key allies such as the US, UK, and NATO.

However, the Saab-CAE alliance presents a compelling economic argument. By utilizing a Bombardier airframe and a CAE-built training system, the GlobalEye bid promises significantly higher Canadian content compared to off-the-shelf alternatives. We observe that this strategy is designed to appeal to government priorities regarding industrial benefits and technological sovereignty. The proposal suggests that while the radar technology is Swedish, the “body” of the aircraft and the “brains” of the training infrastructure would remain firmly Canadian.

This collaboration also represents a second major push by Saab into the Canadian market, following the fighter jet competition. By securing CAE as a partner, Saab strengthens its value proposition, offering a solution that supports high-tech jobs in Montreal and Toronto. The integrated training approach,linking pilot simulators with mission crew stations,allows for “whole crew” training, a critical requirement for modern multi-domain operations where coordination is as vital as sensor range.

Conclusion

The agreement between CAE and Saab is more than a standard supplier contract; it is a strategic maneuver aimed at capturing a significant share of the global and Canadian defense markets. By combining the GlobalEye’s multi-domain surveillance capabilities with CAE’s advanced simulation technologies, the partnership offers a robust solution for modern air forces. For Canada, the deal presents a choice between allied interoperability through the Boeing E-7 and a solution that maximizes domestic industrial benefits through the GlobalEye.

As we look toward the late 2030s, when these systems are expected to reach initial operational capability, the importance of high-fidelity training will only grow. Whether for the RCAF or international customers, the ability to train crews in complex, synthetic environments will be a deciding factor in operational readiness. This partnership ensures that regardless of where the GlobalEye flies, the training standards will be defined by Canadian expertise.

FAQ

Question: What is the core purpose of the agreement between CAE and Saab?
Answer: The agreement designates CAE as the preferred supplier of training and simulation solutions for Saab’s GlobalEye aircraft globally. It also establishes a joint commitment to pursue Canada’s upcoming Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) defense contract.

Question: What aircraft is the GlobalEye based on?
Answer: The GlobalEye system is built upon the Bombardier Global 6000/6500, a long-range business jet manufactured in Toronto, Canada.

Question: Why is this partnership significant for the Canadian economy?
Answer: The partnership leverages Canadian manufacturing (Bombardier) and training technology (CAE), positioning the GlobalEye as a “home-grown” solution. This approach aims to keep high-tech aerospace jobs and defense spending within Canada.

Sources

• CAE Press Release