# Bombardier and BAE Systems explore future combat air work The companies will explore cooperation from systems integration to supply chain development. Bombardier's announcement does not identify a specific program for the agreement. Published 2026-10-29 by TGOs. Canonical: https://tgos.io/news/2026/10/29/bombardier-and-bae-systems-explore-future-combat-air-work/ Bombardier announced Oct. 28 that it had signed a memorandum of understanding with UK-based BAE Systems.[1] The companies will explore developing complementary industrial and technology capabilities that may support future combat air programs.[1] Bombardier's announcement refers to Canada's July 2026 observer status in the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP), whose partner nations are Japan, Italy and the UK.[1] It does not identify GCAP as the program covered by the agreement.[1] Breaking Defense wrote that the release's reference to next-generation combat air points to Canada's potential involvement in GCAP.[2] The companies will identify where to cooperate, covering research and development, systems integration, workforce and supply chain development, industrialization and in-service lifecycle management.[1] They will work to build a framework for practical cooperation and assess opportunities aligned with future capability requirements, government priorities and industrial objectives.[1] ## Why it matters Breaking Defense reported that Italy's Ministry of Defense said in July that Canada's observer status did not entail an industrial role in GCAP at that stage.[2] The ministry also said it was infeasible then to predict the timing, terms or conditions of any potential expansion of Canada's participation.[2] ## Sources 1. Bombardier: Bombardier Signs MOU with BAE Systems to Collaborate Toward Next-Generation Combat Air Programs 2. Breaking Defense: Canadian firms line up for potential GCAP, Gripen work