Airbus sees an opportunity to manufacture helicopters in Canada for global export markets if it secures upcoming government defense contracts, as Ottawa ramps up military spending and pushes for more domestic industrial investment, Bloomberg reported on Tuesday.

"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," Olivier Michalon, executive vice president of global business for Airbus Helicopters, said in an interview, according to Bloomberg.

The comments come as Prime Minister Mark Carney's government seeks to expand domestic defense manufacturing and reduce dependence on US suppliers, while requiring stronger job creation and investment commitments from foreign defense contractors.

Airbus, which employs more than 5,000 people in Canada, said it could leverage Canadian production capabilities to supply its global helicopter network, which serves customers in 170 countries.