This article summarizes reporting by Bloomberg and journalist Avril Hong. The original report is paywalled; this article summarizes publicly available elements and public remarks.

Gulfstream Targets 160 Deliveries in 2026 Amidst Strong Demand and Geopolitical Headwinds

Gulfstream Aerospace has officially set a target to deliver 160 business jets in 2026, signaling a strategy of stability and modest growth following a strong performance in 2025. The projection was confirmed by Scott Neal, Gulfstream’s Senior Vice President of Worldwide Sales, during an interview with Bloomberg at the Singapore Airshow 2026.

The announcement comes as the manufacturer capitalizes on the certification of its next-generation flagship models, the G700 and G800, while navigating a complex trade dispute between the United States and Canada that threatens to impact North American deliveries.

Production Targets and Financial Performance

According to the interview conducted by Bloomberg, the goal of 160 aircraft represents a steady continuation of the company’s recent trajectory. This target aligns with data from General Dynamics, Gulfstream’s parent company, which reported 158 deliveries in 2025, a significant increase from the 136 units delivered in 2024.

General Dynamics has characterized the 2026 outlook as “flat with a little upside,” a phrasing that suggests a deliberate focus on supply chain reliability rather than aggressive volume expansion. Financial-Results from January 2026 indicate that the Aerospace division generated $13.1 billion in revenue in 2025 and projects approximately $13.6 billion for the current year.

Market Demand Indicators

Demand for large-cabin business jets remains robust. General Dynamics reported a book-to-bill ratio of 1.4x for 2025, meaning the company received nearly one and a half new orders for every jet delivered. This backlog provides a strong buffer against potential economic volatility.

Fleet Updates: The G700 and G800 Era

The 2026 delivery goals are heavily supported by Gulfstream’s newest ultra-long-range jets. The G700, which features the industry’s largest cabin, received Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certification in March 2024 and has become a primary revenue driver.

Additionally, the G800, designed to replace the G650ER with an 8,000-nautical-mile range, achieved type certification from both the FAA and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) in April 2025. These certifications allow Gulfstream to fulfill its substantial order book for these models across major global markets.

Geopolitical Challenges: The US-Canada Dispute

While the Asia-Pacific market remains a focus at the Singapore Airshow, Gulfstream faces a significant regulatory hurdle in North America. According to industry reporting by FlightGlobal and Aviation International News, a diplomatic dispute has arisen regarding the certification of Gulfstream jets in Canada.

Transport Canada has declined to certify the G700 and G800, citing requirements for additional cold-weather fuel system testing. While the FAA granted Gulfstream a three-year exemption to complete this testing while continuing deliveries, Canadian regulators have refused to accept this waiver.

The situation escalated in January 2026, when U.S. President Donald Trump threatened trade retaliation against Canadian-built aircraft if the “blockade” on Gulfstream products continued. This standoff introduces uncertainty for Canadian customers and highlights the vulnerability of aerospace manufacturing to broader trade tensions.

AirPro News Analysis

Stability Over Surge: Gulfstream’s target of 160 jets, only two more than the previous year, indicates a mature approach to manufacturing. Rather than chasing record-breaking delivery numbers that could strain a recovering supply chain, the company appears focused on margin expansion and production efficiency. By keeping targets realistic, Gulfstream mitigates the risk of the “traveling work” phenomenon, where unfinished jets pile up awaiting parts, a problem that plagued the industry in previous years.

The Asia-Pacific Pivot: The choice to highlight these targets at the Singapore Airshow is strategic. With the North American market facing temporary friction due to the Canadian certification dispute, the Asia-Pacific region offers a critical alternative for high-value deliveries of the G700 and G800.

Sources

Sources: Bloomberg, General Dynamics Investor Relations, FlightGlobal