The Canadian government provided a $283-million (265-million-euro) loan to Bombardier for two of the company's jet programs, promising to defend the shot in the arm against a potential challenge by rival plane maker Brazil.

The interest-free loan comes from a Canadian aerospace and defense fund targeting research and development projects. The money will be used for Bombardier's new CSeries jet and the Global 7000 business jet.

While the state aid is far less than the $1 billion originally sought by the Canadian plane and train producer, Chief Executive Alain Bellemare called it "the right level of support."

Triggering protests?

But the move risks exacerbating trade wounds with rival jet-making nation Brazil, which has already threatened to take Canada to the World Trade Organization over a $1-billion injection by Quebec for the CSeries.

Bombardier chief Bellemare insists, though, the repayable loan granted now plus the earlier funding from Quebec fully comply with WTO competition rules.

Bombardier has gone through several phases of large-scale restructuring, firing thousands of employees since late 2013, in both its aeronautics and rail divisions.

hg/jd (Reuters, AFP)