Skip to Content News Archives Economy Energy Oil & Gas Renewables Electric Vehicles Mining Commodities Agriculture Real Estate Mortgages Mortgage Rates Finance Banking Insurance Fintech Cryptocurrency Work Wealth Smart Money Wealth Management Investor Personal Finance Family Finance Retirement Taxes High Net Worth FP Comment Executive Women Puzzmo Newsletters Financial Times Business Essentials More Innovation Information Technology FP500 Podcasts Small Business Lives Told Tails Told Shopping Financial Post Store Obituaries Place a Notice Advertising Advertising With Us Advertising Solutions Postmedia Ad Manager Sponsorship Requests Classifieds Place a Classifieds ad Working Profile Settings My Subscriptions Saved Articles My Offers Newsletters Customer Service FAQ News Economy Energy Mining Real Estate Finance Work Wealth Investor FP Comment Executive Women Puzzmo Newsletters Financial Times Business Essentials HomeNewsTransportationAirbus eyes building helicopters in Canada for global exportCanada already hosts the aerospace company’s largest footprint outside Europe, with operations in Ontario and QuebecAuthor of the article:Last updated 11 minutes ago You can save this article by registering for free here. Or sign-in if you have an account.Airbus has been talking to government officials about their helicopter needs and how to generate more domestic value from Canada. Photo by Krisztian Bocsi/BloombergAirbus SE sees an opportunity to build helicopters in Canada for global export if it wins upcoming government contracts, as the country embarks on a historic defence spending spree and pushes to expand manufacturing jobs.Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.Exclusive articles from Barbara Shecter, Joe O'Connor, Gabriel Friedman, and others.Daily content from Financial Times, the world's leading global business publication.Unlimited online access to read articles from Financial Post, National Post and 15 news sites across Canada with one account.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.Exclusive articles from Barbara Shecter, Joe O'Connor, Gabriel Friedman and others.Daily content from Financial Times, the world's leading global business publication.Unlimited online access to read articles from Financial Post, National Post and 15 news sites across Canada with one account.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one accountShare your thoughts and join the conversation in the commentsEnjoy additional articles per monthGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorThe European firm already employs more than 5,000 people in Canada, and it’s now growing its ambitions as Prime Minister Mark Carney’s government seeks closer ties with Europe, said Olivier Michalon, executive vice-president of global business for Airbus Helicopters.“Clearly, if Airbus helicopters are selected for any of the big upcoming campaigns and there is an industrial project which is tied to this contract, it’s an opportunity to export what would be manufactured here to the worldwide market,” he said in Ottawa.Breaking business news, incisive views, must-reads and market signals. Weekdays by 9 a.m.By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder.The next issue of Posthaste will soon be in your inbox.We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try again“We’re selling helicopters to 170 countries around the world and not everything has to come necessarily from our main plants in France or in Germany.”Carney’s government has launched a sweeping defence industrial strategy to spend more of its growing military budget at home and reduce reliance on United States suppliers. As part of that shift, it’s demanding stronger job and investment commitments from foreign firms when it buys their gear.Airbus briefed reporters on Tuesday ahead of a major defence-industry exhibition in Canada’s capital. Germany and Poland’s defence ministers are slated to speak at CANSEC, which is drawing as many as 20,000 delegates — a sign of surging interest in selling military equipment to Canada.The company is eyeing three major helicopter projects in Canada, including for the Canadian Armed Forces, the Canadian Coast Guard and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. Michalon said Airbus has been talking to government officials about their helicopter needs and how to generate more domestic value, and potentially exports, from Canada.Defense Minister David McGuinty’s office didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.Michalon said Airbus is “province‑agnostic” about where it would build helicopters. Canada already hosts the company’s largest footprint outside Europe, with operations in Ontario and Quebec.He pointed to a success story with Spain, which was “in the same position as Canada” two decades ago and has since become one of Airbus’s strongest regions, on par with France and Germany.“We’ve done it. We know how to do it,” he said.Canada was long a NATO spending laggard, but recently reached the target of directing two per cent of gross domestic product to defence and aims to hit five per cent by 2035. It’s making the pivot as the U.S. pulls back from the alliance and hits Canada with tariffs and jabs about its sovereignty.The shift is being felt “from the other side of the ocean,” Jean-Brice Dumont, head of air power at Airbus Defense and Space, said. He pointed to Canada’s entry into the European Union’s €150 billion (US$174 billion) Security Action for Europe (SAFE) fund, which gives Canadian firms access to EU-financed defence procurements.Michalon downplayed the risk that Canada might retreat from its defence buildup if U.S. politics shift. The past year, he argued, has shown how much uncertainty “the decisions of one person in one office” can create — pushing Europe and Canada to focus on building their resilience to geopolitical swings.Carney’s drive to spend more military dollars in Canada, and extract maximum domestic industrial benefits from foreign suppliers, has at times led to blunt demands. Industry Minister Melanie Joly declared in March that “we want a car plant” from the bidders for a massive submarine contract.But Michalon said he doesn’t view the Carney government as purely “transactional.”“It’s not necessarily: I’m going to buy this, what do you give me in exchange?” he said at the news conference. Instead, the question is: “I’m interested in your solution. What value can you create for Canada over the long term?” Join the Conversation This website uses cookies to personalize your content (including ads), and allows us to analyze our traffic. Read more about cookies here. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.