Bombardier Opens Door to Defense M&A as Countries Rearm (1)

Canadian jet manufacturer Bombardier Inc. is considering mergers and acquisitions in the defense sector, seeking to capitalize on governments’ plans to spend heavily to rearm their militaries.

“There’s very nice opportunities shaping up for the defense business also that we will consider investing,” Chief Executive Officer Eric Martel said in a conference call with analysts.

Any deals would likely be incremental acquisitions “that could add value to our existing business of services and defense,” Martel said. Bombardier has delivered four defense jets this year, but business will accelerate.

“You have to think of a double-digit number” for the fourth quarter, ...