DECADE-LONG SUPPORT PARTNERSHIP SIGNED AT FARNBOROUGH AS PART OF FLEET MODERNISATION

The Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) has signed a 10-year Services Support Agreement (SSA) with Bombardier on behalf of the Swedish Armed Forces (SWEAF), following the recent delivery of two Bombardier Global 6500 aircraft as part of SWEAF’s fleet modernisation programme. Executives from FMV and Bombardier participated in a signing ceremony at Farnborough International Airshow 2026 to mark the agreement and the longstanding relationship between the two organisations. The two aircraft will perform a multi-role mission that includes head of state transport.

Paul Sislian, Executive Vice President for Aircraft Sales and Aftermarket Services at Bombardier, said the agreement reflected Bombardier’s commitment to delivering more than world-class aircraft, describing it as the delivery of long-term operational confidence for defence and missionised customers around the world. He said the Smart Services Defense programme would give the Swedish Armed Forces seamless OEM support, enhanced readiness and predictable lifecycle costs, giving the armed forces the confidence to stay focused on the mission while Bombardier supported the aircraft every step of the way.

WHAT SMART SERVICES DEFENSE PROVIDES

The SSA enrolls both Global 6500 aircraft in Bombardier’s Smart Services Defense programme, which provides a cost-per-flight-hour support solution covering parts including landing gear and Auxiliary Power Unit, labour, ground support equipment, engineering expertise, technical assistance, access to Bombardier’s mobile response teams and shipping costs. The programme also includes scheduled and unscheduled maintenance support, Entry-into-Service assistance, access to technical publications, and full access to Bombardier’s 24/7 service and support network through its global infrastructure of more than 100 service locations worldwide. The cost-per-flight-hour structure provides SWEAF with predictable, fixed lifecycle operating costs that support both fleet planning and defence budget management over the ten-year term.

THE GLOBAL 6500 IN DEFENCE SERVICE

The Global 6500 is a proven platform for government, defence and specialised mission operators worldwide. Its combination of exceptional range, endurance and mission-system integration capability makes it well suited to a range of defence and security applications including intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, airborne early warning and control, border and maritime patrol, head of state transport, medevac and urgent humanitarian assistance — with hundreds of Bombardier aircraft performing critical airborne missions across these categories globally. Bombardier’s service network topped both the Aviation International News and Professional Pilot Product Support surveys in 2025, providing an additional measure of confidence for defence operators selecting the manufacturer as a long-term support partner.