Canadian Bombardier to Pitch Global 8000 Jet for India's ISTAR Program, Offering Long-Endurance Reconnaissance to Counter Pak-China Aerial Threats

Canadian aerospace manufacturer Bombardier is set to offer its new Global 8000 business jet for the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) critical surveillance aircraft requirement.

The proposal comes as India’s Ministry of Defence is expected to give final approval this month for the acquisition of three advanced jets under the Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition, and Reconnaissance (ISTAR) program, aimed at bolstering the nation's defence against aerial threats from Pakistan and China.

The ISTAR initiative is designed to provide the IAF with a significant technological edge by enabling real-time, high-altitude monitoring of adversary movements and military assets. These aircraft will be crucial for maintaining battlefield transparency along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and the Line of Control (LoC).

The new platforms will complement India's existing airborne surveillance assets, such as the Netra Mk1 Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) systems, and modernise an aging fleet currently operated by the Aviation Research Centre (ARC), which includes modified Gulfstream and older Bombardier Global 5000 jets.

The core of the ISTAR project involves outfitting the selected aircraft with a sophisticated suite of indigenous sensors. These critical technologies, developed by the DRDO's Centre for Airborne Systems (CABS), have already undergone successful testing, paving the way for their integration.

The IAF had previously considered the older Global 6000 model but has now shifted its focus to more modern aircraft with superior range and avionics to meet contemporary challenges.

Bombardier's Global 8000 is being presented as a strong candidate due to its exceptional performance characteristics. The aircraft boasts a remarkable range of 8,000 nautical miles (approximately 14,800 km) and can operate at a high-speed cruise of Mach 0.90. This long endurance and high operational altitude make it an ideal platform for lengthy surveillance missions.

Its spacious three-zone cabin is also adaptable for the specialised equipment required for intelligence gathering, signal interception, and secure communication links with satellites, drones, and ground forces. The jet is slated to officially enter service in 2025, aligning with the procurement timeline for the ISTAR program.

However, Bombardier's bid will face several considerations. Adapting a civilian business jet for a military role will require significant modifications, including the installation of advanced self-protection and defensive systems.

Furthermore, the proposal must align with the Indian government’s “Make in India” policy, which mandates technology transfer and local manufacturing partnerships.

The Canadian firm is expected to face competition from other international aerospace giants, including Boeing, which has also shown interest in the multi-billion dollar contract.

The final selection will likely depend on a comprehensive evaluation of operational capability, cost-effectiveness, and the extent of technology transfer offered.

To strengthen its proposal, Bombardier may seek partnerships with Indian defence firms, such as Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL), to manage the customisation and support for the aircraft in India.

 

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[Ammoman]

"Make in India" for 3 jets? Delusional.

Bombardier has delivered eight Global jets to the US Air Force for the Battlefield Airborne Communications Node (BACN) program, which enhances situational awareness and interoperability. These aircraft, known as E-11A, act as high-altitude communications gateways, earning the nickname "Wi-Fi in the sky". The Air Force has a multi-year contract with Bombardier, with a ninth aircraft scheduled for delivery in 2025

 

[abhinav srivastava]

Bombardier is a Canadian company. We must also evaluate geopolitics angle before procurement.

 

[Gentleman]

Choose Embraer, which is the most secure option for the ISTAR Program, instead of Bombardier, the fuking Anglo Canadian, who will attempt to blackmail us once more.

 

[Vivek Singh]

IAF should use Airbus A320 family aircraft for all such force multiplier aircraft.

A320 is manufactured in huge numbers and hence, is likely to be cheaper to procure than the G8000. Acquisation cost can be further reduced by acquiring second hand aircraft, which are going to last several years in the IAF inventory as military aircraft fly less.

Yes, the A320 is likely to burn more fuel but will have much longer endurance as well. This aircraft will not require air-to-air refueling.

India has a huge number of civilian A320s, and associated MRO facilities. In an event of war, MRO and parts will be easily available.

We are already going to build Netra Mk2 AWACS on A321s. Having more aircraft of the same type will make training cheaper as well.

In fact, all Indian forces should standardise around the A320 family. The Indian Navy should build a doemstic equivalent of P8I with Airbus A320 as the base platform.

 

[Dredd]

Choose Embraer, which is the most secure option for the ISTAR Program, instead of Bombardier, the fuking Anglo Canadian, who will attempt to blackmail us once more.

When did they blackmail?

 

[Rinku Pandey]

Bombardier 8000 is a great product even better than Emberear. It is a good opportunity for Bharat and Canada to normalise soured relationship especially now that Modiji is going to attend G7 in Canada.

 

[Subho S]

I agree with the strong sentiments being shared by most in here to stay away from collaborating with a Canadian company, a country that gives safe haven to not just anti-India actors but also extremists!

I also agree that the better partner for this would be Embraer for strategic reasons. It is likely that India will pick Embraer's C-390 Millennium as the medium-lift military transporter aircraft in the not-too-distant future, and a local assembly line in India could very well become a reality in that case. In light of that deep partnership with Embraer, this makes even more sense.

Work with a partner that is willing to invest in India, create jobs here, and not pull the rug out from under your feet at the most inopportune time! Last but not least, Embraer has the Lineage 1000 aircraft that is an excellent platform that could service this specific need of ours too.

 

[Dredd]

IAF should use Airbus A320 family aircraft for all such force multiplier aircraft.

A320 platform is overkill for the ISTAR .

 

[Subho S]

The Embraer Lineage 1000 jet is a far better platform than the Global 8000, and not only will Embraer be easier to work with, their products are far more reliable and cheaper too, unlike Bombardier jets that are high maintenance and crappy products.

You only have to look at the A220 (rebadged from Bombardier C series to Airbus A220) to get a sense of Bombardier's checkered history! The commercial airlines that fell for it and started flying these poorly designed jets have all been forced to ground most of their aircraft, and Airbus is still kicking itself for having made a colossal blunder! They are in the process of writing off their investments at this time. Billions just went up in smoke. Poof!

 

[beencensured]

When did they blackmail?

Talking bad about India and supporting terrorist. They tried to prove India was involved in killing of terrorist on their soil who was on their no-fly list.

 

[nara]

IAF should use Airbus A320 family aircraft for all such force multiplier aircraft.

Small planes, large in number, is better than a few white elephants.

 

[Hanshu=Agarwal]

When did they blackmail?

Nijjar episode without any evidence. Second, they try to twist by fueling it against Bharatiya Diplomats. Don't forget the attack on the Bharatiya High Commission in London and Consulates in Toronto and Vancouver by Gandistanis.

 

[DefStock]

Not Bombardier, it's a Canadian company. Liberals are in power. Go with Embraer or UAC Sukhoi Superjet in VIP configuration.

 

[Vivek Singh]

A320 platform is overkill for the ISTAR .

True.

But a bigger aircraft will have a longer endurance.

A320 will also be cheaper to acquire and operate. We have many MROs already in India.

 

[Vivek Singh]

Small planes, large in number, is better than a few white elephants.

A global 8000, despite being smaller than an A320 is not going to be cheaper than the A320. The production volume of the A320 is simply too high which enables economy of scales.