Bombardier Defense is sending three Global 6500 aircraft to Australia for maritime surveillance work with the Australian Border Force. The aircraft will be flown by Metrea, a defence company that works with national security partners on an effects-as-a-service model. The new aircraft are meant for long missions over sea and coast areas, where range, speed, endurance, and steady performance matter a lot.
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Bombardier said the Global 6500 is a strong fit for this kind of job because it can cover long distances and keep flying for long periods. The company also said this is the first time the Global platform will be used in Australia in a special mission setup like this. Bombardier has already used the Global 6500 in special mission work in other countries, so the plane is not new to this type of role.
What Bombardier Says the Jet Can Do
Bombardier Defense says the aircraft is built for demanding government and military jobs. It is not just for business travel. The company says it is chosen for its mix of performance, reliability, and flexibility, along with available outer-mould line configurations for special mission use. That makes it useful for surveillance and other tasks that need custom equipment.
Michael Anckner, Vice President, Worldwide Sales, Bombardier Defense, said, “The Global 6500 aircraft brings a new level of capability for maritime surveillance, with exceptional range, speed, endurance and reliability,”. According to Defence Industry, he also said, “Our teams are proud that this game-changing aircraft is the trusted choice to support the Australian Border Force’s aerial surveillance program,”.
Bombardier’s Bigger Australia Footprint
This deal comes after Bombardier has been building a bigger presence in Australia for years. The company said it already has more than 75 business jets in the country across its Learjet, Challenger, and Global families. It also opened its Melbourne Service Centre in 2022 at Essendon Fields Airport. In March 2025, Bombardier added a new Line Maintenance Station in Perth. In May 2024, Bombardier Defense opened its first international office in Adelaide.
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That network matters because Bombardier says it wants to support regional aircraft and special mission customers with more local service. It uses its global support system for maintenance and tailored help, and its aircraft are already used for jobs like intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, airborne early warning and control, border and maritime patrol, medical evacuation, and humanitarian support.
