Saab is considering Canada as a place to assemble Gripen fighter jets to meet demand from Ukraine. According to CBC, Micael Johansson, CEO of Saab, mentioned Kyiv’s interest in purchasing 100+ Gripen fighter jets that would double the defence company’s production requirements, with plans to expand production capacity, possibly within Canada.
“The firm views Canada and its formidable aerospace industry as an important market to support a significant increase in global demand. We’re continuing to grow and develop our relationships with Canadian companies to support our programs and products for Canada and for the export market.”
Simon Carroll, president of Saab Canada, said in a media statement to The Canadian Press
READ: Cover Story on Saab’s Gripen fighter
Sweden’s Saab offered its Gripen fighter fleet as a replacement for the CF-18s but lost to U.S manufacturer Lockheed Martin‘s F-35 fighter jets. While Canada’s acquisition of 88 F-35 jets remains under review, rising program costs poses an important question — should Canada reconsider the Gripen E as an alternative or added fleet to the CF-18 replacement? And could Canada realistically afford/be able to manage a mixed fighter fleet? Before the CF-18s were acquired, the RCAF operated three different types of fighter jets. Ultimately, operating a mixed fleet was considered too expensive due to the costs associated with different training, infrastructure, and supply chains.
“The federal government has not ruled out a mixed fighter fleet. One option for Ottawa is to move forward with a small fleet of F-35s and also acquire a separate fleet of Gripens.”
Minister Mélanie Joly told The Canadian Press
Saab, in collaboration with Helsing, announced the successful completion of the first three flights integrating Helsing’s Artificial Intelligence (AI) agent ‘Centaur’ into a Gripen E fighter jet. Saab’s and Helsing’s joint Project Beyond team was set up using Gripen E to explore how trustworthy AI can be used against future threats.
READ MORE: Saab achieves AI milestone with Gripen E
With recent Canadian partnerships announced, Saab is looking to continue increasing its operations in Canada, including more assembly work on the GlobalEye. The GlobalEye is a leading Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) solution that combines the best of Swedish and Canadian expertise and quality. At the heart of the GlobalEye system is the Bombardier Global 6000/6500 aircraft, a Canadian-built platform that delivers long range, high endurance, and superior performance at all altitudes.
READ: Saab ready to offer GlobalEye for Canada’s Airborne Early Warning and Control program
CAE and Saab have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to cooperate on a training and simulation solution for Canada’s next generation submarine fleet. Under the MoU, Saab and CAE will jointly explore opportunities to provide world-leading training systems and simulation technology solutions for the Canadian Patrol Submarine Project (CPSP).
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26 thoughts on “Saab to Consider Canada for its Gripen Jet Assembly”
As a Canadian taxpayer ,I would prefer to have our military equipment produced in Canada.
We already have a fairly robust aircraft industry with Bombardier, de Haviland and Coulson building for various needs. It would be a bonus if we helped manufacture a fleet of Gripens to help our ally Ukraine.
Although the F35 is a great plane it’s like having a formula 1 race car to get to the mall.
I think we should buy the minimum we’ve agreed to and have a mixed fleet of planes produced in Canada by the previously noted companies.
For too long we’ve put all our eggs in the one American basket and I don’t think we can count on them anymore.
I couldn’t agree more. The Americans can no longer be trusted and we need the jobs here … not in the U.S . Meet our contract obligations and move on. No need to buy the full 88.
I couldn’t agree more, the F35 is actually the best bet for us strictly used for NORAD the Gripen for our needs and geography etc is the perfect aircraft in my opinion. There is definitely more positives than not and the extra cost of a mixed fleet is more than covered by the local jobs and technology transfers. Thanks
Ready Aye Ready
The extra costs are also more than covered by the lower operational cost of the Gripen, as well.
Anyone still promoting the F-35 deal should be investigated as a Lockheed lobbyist, tbh. Also whoever leaked that report needs to be sacked.
Absolutely 100% they should have canceled the f35 contract as soon as the price doubled after signing
Exactly what I believe! Build our Gripen planes ourselves, and take the 16 F35s and run a mixed fleet
I agree we should have the saab Gripen, half the cost of operating, half the cost of purchase, and produced to operate in cold climate. Also low maintenance and can land on almost any surface. The cost of flying a 35 is 33,000 dollars an hour. Also we don’t need big brother having the capability to turn our fighters of with 8 lines of code. Let Saab do the building in Canada. USA have all the 35 we need in North America.
F35’s can’t be modified with out american consent. The gripen fighter will be allowed to modify with out consent from Sweden but l’m sure that any improvements that canada makes will be shared with the swedish manufacturer. There for it would benefit both country’s. It’s a win win for both.
The F35 has a terrible record for being active, apparently they spend more time getting serviced than they do in the air. One plane fell out of the sky in Alaska due to extremely cold temperatures and the fix was a software update. If my car doesn’t start on a cold day I don’t update the software. I’ve read that it takes 20 minutes for them to warm in cold climates. Even the US supplier’s think it’s too much for our Air Force to manage. The cost overruns are already through the roof and more are expected. I think we should have a twin engine fighter for safety and to get where we need to be as fast as we can. If we buy the single engine Gripen we should make sure we have more than enough to cover our massive country. It pains me to hear that US jets get scrambled to protect Canadian air space. Let’s build the Gripen, buy the Gripen and ultimately advance the Gripen to have a twin Engine Variant called the SAAB GRIPEN ARROW to honour the famed Avro Arrow.
Hi Ken
Saab Gripen have never had an engine failure, During red flag Gripen never failed, will F-16 and other airplanes often had problem in cold weather.
Other positive aspects is the turnaround time, 10-15 minutes, Rearm, refuel. F-35 you talking hours.
So you can fly several sorti with Gripen during an F-35 is still on the ground.
A total engine change can be done in 46 minutes.
Good luck and welcome to Gripen fleet.
I agree with Peter Sugden (11/12). I’ll go even further and support cancelling the entire F35 mess, building all military aircraft in Canada, we have the technology.
Canada just needs to buy the griffins build them in Canada quit jerking around forget to F 35 or whatever they’re called Canadian government needs to get off their butt and just buy these griffins get our men trained and get some protection in the skies. Forget what the US wants get the griffins and get going.
If everything can be done in Canada with fighter jets and securing the arctic territories, it sure,would be the way to go.so Canada would not depend on US.
They wish to control everything to the detriment of Canada
I agree, not to mention the long wait list for F-35’s. We need to have planes sooner than later. If we are able to build them we can build them faster than the US’s backlog of orders. Maybe we could do two for Ukraine one for us system lol 😆
Drop F 35 get the minimum we obligated to buy and sell them to England and let’s go SAAB
The F35’s are hugely inappropriate for Canada. Let’s cut our losses and cancel the F35 contract (and fight it in courts for years) and buy the Gripen and make it in Canada.
Building the Gripen here is a fantastic opportunity, whether we buy it or not. If we buy it, even better. And this could be done while we are dithering about the F35. We can take on Gripens and still buy the F35 when that gets sorted and run a mixed fleet. They both have their roles to play for the RCAF.
I mostly agree on these points, however we have some contracts to supply the F-35. Also we have completed much of the ground work and have started training. I would at least add more F-35s, enough to provide us with a practically useful fleet by 2030. As for the Gripen it would be a huge mistake to not take advantage of the opportunity presented to us. The potential is huge, providing us opportunities to work with Saab on future aircraft without playing second fiddle. The F-35 provides Canada with much less potential. It’s worth the cost of a mixed fleet as it will pay dividends.
Future Fighter Program and the Saab Gripen E
Dear Prime Minister Carney,
I am writing to urge your government to re-evaluate the Future Fighter Capability Project (FFCP) and consider the Saab Gripen E for the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF).
The Gripen E offers several critical advantages that align perfectly with Canada’s defence priorities, particularly in the Arctic and for domestic sovereignty:
Superior Arctic Suitability:
The Gripen E is specifically designed to operate efficiently and reliably in extreme cold and from austere environments, including highways and smaller, remote runways—capabilities essential for effective Arctic patrol and NORAD missions across our vast geography.
Cost-Effectiveness and Sustainability:
The operational costs and maintenance requirements of the Gripen E are significantly lower than those of its competitors. Choosing a more affordable and easier-to-maintain aircraft ensures that the RCAF can sustain a higher fleet readiness rate and dedicate more resources to personnel and training, rather than long-term sustainment costs.
Canadian Industrial Sovereignty:
The commitment by Saab and its partners, including Canadian firms like Bombardier, to establish a Canadian production and assembly line for the Gripen is a game-changer. This commitment would create high-value, long-term jobs and secure genuine intellectual property and technological control within Canada’s aerospace industry, strengthening our industrial sovereignty and export potential.
I believe transitioning to the Gripen E, or at least adopting a mixed fleet approach, represents the most strategic investment for Canada’s long-term defence, financial health, and industrial future. I implore you to prioritize this re-evaluation to secure the best outcome for the RCAF and the Canadian taxpayer.
The Gripen E is a better fit for Canadian geography (especially the Arctic).
The operational costs are much lower than the F-35.
Saab’s offer to establish production and assembly in Canada will create long-term, high-tech jobs.
Thank you for your time and leadership on this critical issue.
B.W.
Courtenay, BC
November 15, 2025
Why don’t we simply sell the ordered f35s to another country already, or planning to use them in their airforce. Then we concentrate on the Grippen and only have one type of aircraft to service/fly. It’s a wonderful aircraft, we don’t have to worry about the U.S. meddling in our use of the f35, and even better, we make them here and create great jobs!
Note: Any potential sale or re-export of F-35 fighter jets by Canada to another country would require the explicit approval and cooperation of the United States government and the manufacturer, Lockheed Martin. The F-35 program is an integrated system with the U.S. controlling key elements.
Just another CF-5
Double your defensive expenditures by doubling your infrastructure costs!
And I thought the big objection to the F-35 was a single engine. Seems that was is no longer a concern!
The Saab Grippen is a superior aircraft to the F35 in all respects.it is cost effective and an agile fighter platform. It can also be manufactured in Canada and assist in expanding our military manufacturing sector. It also meets Canada’s NATO commitments. Canada can assist NATO partners in training pilots and technicians
Good to hear the consensus is for a mixed fleet, both aircraft have their virtues and drawbacks.
Perhaps we could even station some Gripens on the West Coast (that’s BC by the way, some politicians still think the western border is the Rockies).
The F35’s are too expensive to run. The US has control of the software. The Grippen is the way to go. We would get more jobs, more aircraft, and control of product development. It would be a huge boost for Canada’s economy and defence. We should cancel the F35’s, there is very little capability difference between the F35 and the Grippen E.
The agreed price per F35 should not be alltered by the seller and the initial agreed price should remain, Pacta sunt servanda.
If US want’s to raise the price the deal is of if they insist bye the F35 and sell them to China 🙂 and get the money back or more.
Saab’s proposial to build, maintain and get Canada free is a partnership on equel terms. With a aircraft more advanced and suited for operations in cold and hars conditions with a minimum of personal support many kilometers from tempered airbases with the long
runway built for a more than double weight airplane. Land in a remote spot, refuel rearm with basic trained personal on a short local strip, that will make it more agile. And it’s a supercruiser and can go supersonic more than 40 secounds without destroing the outer coating that make it inoperable for days, F35 II is the perfect match of a HANGAR QUEEN.
Pacta sunt servanda, trust SAAB and Sweden
The F-35 is well suited for an ‘European conflict, where its situational awareness attributes would give it an advantage.
But, over the vastness of Canada……not so much. It is too slow. There will never be a dogfight over Ottawa, but there are Tupolev 160 Mach 2 bombers probing our borders. Ideally, F-15’s would be the best aircraft for Canada, but less American is now desirable.
The AVRO Arrow would have filled this role nicely.
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