Australia Orders Two Challenger 650 Aircraft for ISR missions

Bombardier Defense is pleased to announce that Principle Finance, a distinguished provider of customized operating leases for aircraft in Australia, has acquired two Bombardier Challenger 650 aircraft intended for Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions within the country. The delivery of these aircraft is scheduled for 2026.

“This purchase represents a major milestone for Bombardier Defense, increasing our presence in Australia and the Asia-Pacific region. Our aircraft are the platform of choice not only due to their reach, persistence and performance, but also due to the large accessibility of our services and support ecosystem in the country,” says Jean-Christophe Gallagher, Executive Vice President, Aircraft Sales & Bombardier Defense. “This represents an undeniable advantage and flexibility to operators.”

“We are excited to integrate the Bombardier Challenger 650 into our fleet, leveraging its exceptional performance and reliability, which will play a crucial role in our future operations. This platform allows us to enhance our surveillance reach and effectiveness, ensuring we stay ahead in the rapidly evolving defense landscape,” says Harrison Langrell, Managing Director of Principle Finance.

Bombardier's high-performing Challenger 650 aircraft are esteemed for their exceptional short-field performance and proven reliability within the mid-sized jet category. Configured for business jet use, these aircraft can achieve an endurance of up to 11 hours, with a dispatch reliability exceeding 99.9% and an impressive range of 4,000 nm (7,408 km). The Challenger 650 is also considered an ideal choice for ISR missions, capable of flying higher, faster, and farther than legacy airborne platforms. This ensures coverage of expansive territories and offers performance comparable to large maritime patrol aircraft, but at a fraction of their purchase and operating costs. The aircraft provides the necessary flexibility to complete missions in challenging environments, with an optimal payload capacity for customized, mission-specific equipment, offering a strategic advantage for the development of next-generation solutions.

Bombardier has significantly expanded its presence in Australia in recent years. The company recently unveiled a new Line Maintenance Station (LMS) in Perth, increasing its global LMS network to 10 locations. The development of services and support infrastructure in Australia commenced with the establishment of the Melbourne Service Center in 2022, enabling Bombardier to more effectively support the existing fleet in the region. In May 2024, Bombardier Defense inaugurated its first international office in Adelaide, Australia, aimed at offering an elevated level of service to its special mission clients in this key Asia-Pacific market.

Bombardier Defense not only offers exceptional platforms but also maintains dedicated in-house engineering and support teams available 24/7 globally. These teams possess the capability to implement modifications tailored to customer requirements, with comprehensive certification across civilian, military, and hybrid operations. With decades of experience collaborating with special mission operators and esteemed mission systems integrators, Bombardier adapts its proven platform for critical operations worldwide.