Principle Finance, a provider of customised operating lease for aircraft in Australia, has acquired two Bombardier Challenger 650 aircraft destined for Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions in Australia.
The delivery of both aircraft is planned for 2026.
“This purchase represents a major milestone for Bombardier Defence, 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,” Jean-Christophe Gallagher, Executive Vice President, Aircraft Sales & Bombardier Defence, said. “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,” Harrison Langrell, Managing Director of Principle Finance, said.
Bombardier’s Challenger 650 aircraft when configured for business jet use can achieve an endurance of up to 11 hours, with a reported dispatch reliability of over 99.9 per cent and a range of 4,000 nm (7,408 km).
Bombadier pitches the Challenger 650 aircraft as an 'ideal choice' for ISR missions by offering performance comparable to large maritime patrol aircraft at 'fractions' of their purchase and operating costs.
Bombardier’s Australian footprint has seen a considerable increase over the past few years. The company recently announced a new Line Maintenance Station (LMS) in Perth, bringing the total worldwide LMS presence to 10.
The services and support ecosystem in the country began with the opening of the Melbourne Service Center in 2022. In May of 2024, Bombardier Defence opened its first international office in Adelaide.