Overview
- Saab’s CEO told the Financial Times the company is ready to establish final assembly in Ukraine for JAS 39 Gripen fighters, with testing and some part production also possible.
- A prospective 100–150 aircraft order would double Saab’s current production needs, with existing output investments supporting about 20–30 jets annually in Brazil.
- The company plans broader capacity expansion in Brazil and is exploring additional sites in Canada and Europe to meet potential demand.
- Funding for the program remains unresolved, with Saab’s chief citing the possible use of frozen Russian assets as a political question that faces resistance in parts of the EU.
- Ukraine and Sweden have signed a nonbinding letter of intent, Sweden’s leader has cautioned against expectations of immediate deliveries, and Ukraine continues training crews and preparing infrastructure for potential Gripen operations as early as next year.