Saab and Cohere Collaborate on AI for GlobalEye AEW&C Aircraft

This article is based on an official press release from Saab.

Swedish defense and security company Saab has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Canadian artificial intelligence firm Cohere to collaborate on advanced AI technologies. The partnership will focus on integrating AI capabilities into Saab’s GlobalEye Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) aircraft.

According to a company press release, the agreement is directly tied to Saab’s ongoing efforts to secure Canada’s AEW&C procurement program, while also aiming to support existing and future international operators of the GlobalEye platform.

The collaboration highlights a growing trend of defense contractors partnering with commercial AI developers to enhance data processing and operational efficiency in highly secure environments.

Integrating AI into Aerospace

Data-Driven Mission Support

The MOU establishes a framework for Saab and Cohere to explore several key areas of artificial intelligence application. According to Saab, the companies will focus on data-driven mission support, advanced maintenance tools, and complex information processing.

A critical component of this collaboration is the requirement for secure, on-premises integration. Defense applications demand that sensitive data remain within restricted networks, and Cohere’s enterprise-grade models are designed to operate independently of public cloud infrastructure. The companies have already identified initial pilot projects to assess potential pathways for cooperation based on the current needs of the GlobalEye program.

“Frontier artificial intelligence should be built for scale, trust, reliability and most importantly, real-word impact,” said Ivan Zhang, Co-Founder of Cohere, in the press release. “Through Saab’s deep engineering heritage and our advanced enterprise-grade models, we’ll explore pushing the boundaries of what AI can truly deliver for aerospace, enabling teams to process complex data faster, increase operational tempo, surface key insights with clarity and support critical decision making when it matters most.”

The Canadian Connection and Global Impact

Strengthening Industrial Ties

The partnership with Toronto-based Cohere is a strategic move for Saab as it competes for Canadian defense contracts. According to industry reporting, the GlobalEye aircraft is already built on a Canadian platform, the Bombardier Global 6000/6500 business jet. By adding a domestic AI partner, Saab is further embedding its supply chain within Canada’s industrial base.

In the press release, Saab noted that technologies developed through this partnership are intended to contribute to the company’s global product offerings and strengthen its international competitiveness.

“Canada offers outstanding industrial and advanced technology partners,” said Micael Johansson, President and CEO of Saab. “Working with Canadian companies like Cohere on emerging technologies strengthens our global supply chain and enhances Saab’s international competitiveness.”

Strategic Implications

AirPro News analysis

We note that Saab’s decision to partner with Cohere underscores the increasing importance of domestic industrial participation in international defense procurement. Canada is currently advancing plans to acquire a new airborne early warning fleet, and Saab is positioning the GlobalEye as a solution deeply rooted in the Canadian aerospace and technology sectors.

By leveraging Bombardier for the airframe and Cohere for artificial intelligence, Saab is crafting a bid that aligns closely with Ottawa’s emphasis on domestic job creation and sovereign capability. Furthermore, Cohere’s focus on secure, on-premises AI deployment addresses a primary hurdle in military technology: the need to process vast amounts of sensor data without exposing classified networks to external vulnerabilities. Industry reports indicate that the GlobalEye’s suite of active and passive sensors generates immense data volumes, making AI-driven filtering and predictive maintenance highly valuable for reducing operator workload.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Saab GlobalEye?

The GlobalEye is a multi-domain Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) aircraft developed by Saab. It is designed to detect and track threats across air, sea, and land using a suite of advanced sensors mounted on a Bombardier business jet airframe.

Who is Cohere?

Cohere is a Canadian enterprise AI company that builds foundation models and end-to-end AI products. They specialize in secure, data-private solutions that can be deployed on-premises or in private cloud environments.

Sources

• Saab