Federal Conservatives have urged the auditor general and the Parliamentary Budget Office (PBO) to investigate the process followed by the Liberal government in acquiring airborne early warning planes from Saab, a Swedish aircraft manufacturer. According to sources, the chosen aircraft, GlobalEye, met only a few of the military’s needs and requires significant modifications.
The Defence Investment Agency (DIA) acknowledged that none of the three aircraft considered met the air force’s requirements, with the GlobalEye being deemed the most suitable choice. However, it remains unclear how this decision was reached as none of the competitors were aware of the air force requirements before Prime Minister Mark Carney announced the selection at a major arms exhibition in May.
The Conservatives have called for transparency and assurance that the DIA conducted thorough assessments before proceeding with the procurement process. Conservative defence critic James Bezan emphasized the importance of ensuring that national security and operational readiness were not compromised by political considerations.
The auditor general is tasked with examining adherence to protocols and controls, while the PBO will focus on analyzing the financial aspects of the GlobalEye deal once finalized with Saab. Concerns have been raised within the military regarding the aircraft’s radar coverage, range, and connectivity capabilities, prompting Saab to propose modifications to address these issues.
Saab has expressed readiness to meet the Canadian military’s requirements and has been actively addressing engineering challenges. The DIA clarified the distinction between government and military requirements, stating that the GlobalEye aligns with the former. Negotiations have been ongoing to finalize a term sheet outlining the terms and conditions of the procurement deal.
In light of these developments, scrutiny from independent oversight bodies is essential to ensure accountability and adherence to established procedures in the procurement process.
