Overview
- Sweden’s defence minister Pål Jonson said Sweden needs an industrial partner to scale Gripen output for a possible 100–150‑jet transfer to Ukraine and identified Canada as a strong fit.
- Saab’s proposal includes up to 10,000 Canadian jobs, a potential assembly line with partners such as Bombardier, and full technology transfer, which Industry Minister Mélanie Joly called very interesting but in need of more detail.
- Canada has a standing plan to buy 88 F‑35As with funds already set aside for the first 16, with initial deliveries slated for 2028 and full operational capability targeted for 2032–2034.
- A letter from retired Canadian defence leaders, reportedly including former chief of the defence staff Tom Lawson, warns against cutting the F‑35 order or running a mixed F‑35/Gripen fleet due to cost and capability risks.
- No procurement changes have been finalized, as Sweden underscores NATO data‑link compatibility and Nordic experience operating F‑35s alongside Gripens to address interoperability concerns.