Bombardier Defense, a subsidiary of Bombardier, has recently inked a significant agreement with Aero-Dienst GmbH, part of the Allgemeiner Deutscher Automobil-Club (ADAC), to provide a new Challenger 650 aircraft specifically converted for medevac operations. This partnership underscores Bombardier’s ongoing commitment to enhancing medical transport solutions globally.
The Challenger 650 aircraft, noted for its class-leading spaciousness, will undergo customization to serve as a dedicated air ambulance. This aircraft is distinguished by the widest-in-class passenger door and can accommodate up to four stretchers, boasting a range of 7,408 kilometers, thus ensuring its capability to perform long-range medical missions.
Steve Patrick, Vice President of Bombardier Defense, emphasized the aircraft’s suitability for emergency scenarios, stating, “Our Challenger aircraft are distinguished by their class-leading reliability, flexibility and versatility – characteristics that are necessary to respond quickly to emergencies and provide life-saving medical assistance.” He also highlighted Bombardier’s rich history in delivering medevac aircraft as a vital component of their operations.
ADAC’s investment in the new aircraft is part of its broader strategy to modernize its fleet and enhance service quality. Sascha Petzold, board manager of ADAC Versicherung AG, remarked, “The ambulance service of ADAC Versicherung AG, in cooperation with Aero-Dienst in Nuremberg, has been setting global standards in the field of patient repatriation for over 50 years.” He further noted that the new Challenger 650 will allow ADAC to “serve our members worldwide with our own ADAC fleet.”
Scheduled for delivery in 2026, the aircraft will bolster ADAC’s capability to provide premium medical transport services to its customers globally. This move is part of Bombardier Defense’s strategic efforts to expand its presence in Germany and across Europe, highlighted by the recent rollout of the first aircraft under Germany’s Pegasus program at this year’s ILA Berlin airshow.
Bombardier, headquartered in Montreal, maintains a robust portfolio in both the business and defense aviation sectors. Currently, the company supports a global fleet of approximately 5,000 aircraft, backed by 10 service facilities spread across six countries.
The company’s shares have shown remarkable performance, currently priced at C$90.52. Over the past year, the stock has gained 52.73 percent, with a staggering increase of 4,276.81 percent over the last five years, reflecting sustained investor confidence in Bombardier’s market strategies and operational efficiency.