Maria Rodriguez still remembers the day her husband came home from the Bombardier plant in Montreal, his face lit up with excitement. “They’re talking about bringing fighter jet assembly to Canada,” he told her over dinner. “Real jobs, good jobs, for people like us.”
That was three years ago, and Maria’s family has watched the political ping-pong match over Canada’s fighter jet future with growing frustration. Every announcement, every delay, every policy reversal affects real families who depend on aerospace manufacturing for their livelihoods.
Now, with Saab’s bold new proposal to assemble Gripen fighters in Canada, families like Maria’s are once again holding their breath, wondering if this time might be different.
Sweden Makes a Game-Changing Offer
Saab has thrown down the gauntlet with an offer that could reshape Canada’s entire approach to fighter aircraft procurement. The Swedish aerospace giant is proposing to establish a complete assembly line in Canada for 72 Gripen E/F fighters, plus six GlobalEye radar aircraft.
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The timing couldn’t be more strategic. With Canada already committed to purchasing 16 F-35A fighters from Lockheed Martin, but still deciding on the remaining 72 aircraft, Saab sees an opening that could split the order between American and European technology.
“We’re not just talking about buying planes from Sweden and shipping them across the Atlantic,” explains defense analyst James Patterson. “This is about transferring real manufacturing capability to Canadian soil, with Canadian workers building these aircraft from the ground up.”
The proposal comes at a moment when Canada-U.S. relations have hit several rough patches, making the idea of reducing dependence on American military hardware increasingly attractive to Ottawa policymakers.
Breaking Down the Swedish Package Deal
Saab’s comprehensive offer goes far beyond simple aircraft delivery. Here’s what the company is putting on the table:
- Complete assembly facility for 72 Gripen E/F fighters on Canadian soil
- Additional production line for 6 GlobalEye airborne early warning aircraft
- Technology transfer agreements allowing Canadian engineers to work on advanced systems
- Estimated 8,000 direct jobs across the aerospace supply chain
- Partnership with Canadian companies like Bombardier and CAE
- Long-term maintenance and upgrade contracts keeping work in Canada
The financial implications are staggering. While exact numbers remain classified, industry sources suggest the package could be worth over $15 billion CAD, with roughly 60% of that money staying within Canadian borders through local production and jobs.
| Aircraft Type | Quantity | Assembly Location | Timeline |
| Gripen E/F Fighters | 72 | Canada (proposed) | 2027-2032 |
| GlobalEye Radar Aircraft | 6 | Canada (proposed) | 2028-2030 |
| F-35A Fighters (existing order) | 16 | United States | 2026-2028 |
“The numbers speak for themselves,” says former Canadian defense procurement officer Linda Chen. “When you factor in the multiplier effect of these jobs, we’re talking about supporting entire communities across Ontario, Quebec, and other provinces.”
Why This Deal Could Transform Canadian Defense
The implications of accepting Saab’s offer extend far beyond simple job creation. For decades, Canada has struggled with what defense experts call “industrial capability gaps” – the country’s inability to maintain and upgrade its own military equipment without relying heavily on foreign suppliers.
The Gripen fighters Canada proposal addresses this challenge head-on. Unlike the F-35 program, where Canada participates as a junior partner in a U.S.-led consortium, the Saab deal would establish genuine Canadian ownership of the production process.
This matters enormously during times of international tension. “Look at what happened during COVID when countries started restricting exports of critical supplies,” points out military technology researcher Dr. Robert Kim. “Having your own production capability means never being held hostage by someone else’s foreign policy decisions.”
The GlobalEye aircraft component adds another strategic dimension. These radar platforms would give Canada unprecedented ability to monitor its vast Arctic territories, a capability that becomes more critical as climate change opens new shipping routes and increases international interest in the region.
For Canadian aerospace workers, the proposal represents something even more valuable: long-term security. While the F-35 program offers some Canadian participation, most of that work happens in components and sub-assemblies. The Saab offer would create final assembly jobs – the kind of skilled, high-paying positions that anchor entire communities.
The Political Reality Behind the Military Math
Of course, Canada’s military leadership isn’t necessarily thrilled with the idea of splitting their fighter fleet between two different aircraft types. The Royal Canadian Air Force has consistently expressed preference for a single aircraft model to simplify training, maintenance, and logistics.
“From a purely operational standpoint, having 16 F-35s and 72 Gripens creates complexity,” acknowledges retired Air Force Colonel Sarah Mitchell. “But sometimes political and economic realities override pure military efficiency.”
The political calculus is complicated by Canada’s relationship with both the United States and NATO. While the F-35 offers deeper integration with American and allied systems, the Gripen provides operational independence that appeals to Canadian sovereignty concerns.
Recent trade disputes with Washington have made this independence argument more compelling. When countries can weaponize economic relationships, having alternatives becomes a national security imperative.
The Swedish proposal also aligns with Canada’s broader strategy of diversifying its defense partnerships. Ottawa has already been exploring closer ties with European defense companies as a counterbalance to overwhelming American influence in the sector.
FAQs
Would Canada actually operate two different fighter jets at the same time?
Yes, if this proposal moves forward, Canada would have a mixed fleet of 16 F-35As and 72 Gripen E/F fighters, similar to how some countries operate multiple aircraft types for different missions.
How many Canadian jobs would the Saab proposal create?
Saab estimates approximately 8,000 direct jobs in aerospace manufacturing, with additional thousands of indirect jobs in supporting industries and services.
Are the Gripen fighters as capable as the F-35?
The Gripen E/F is highly capable but focuses on different strengths than the F-35, emphasizing cost-effectiveness, ease of maintenance, and operational flexibility rather than stealth technology.
When would these aircraft be delivered if Canada accepts the proposal?
The proposed timeline shows Gripen fighter deliveries starting in 2027 and completing by 2032, with GlobalEye aircraft delivered between 2028 and 2030.
What happens to the existing F-35 order?
The 16 F-35A fighters already on order would proceed as planned, with deliveries expected between 2026 and 2028.
Could this proposal affect Canada’s relationship with NATO allies?
While the F-35 offers deeper NATO integration, the Gripen is also used by several NATO and partner countries, so interoperability wouldn’t be completely lost.