Overview
- Sweden and Ukraine have a non-binding letter of intent for up to 150 Gripen fighters, leaving financing, quantities and delivery terms to future negotiations.
- Saab’s CEO says Kyiv’s interest would roughly double output, prompting a search for added capacity in Canada or Europe, with Canada’s industry minister calling the prospect good news.
- Existing Saab–Bombardier cooperation on the GlobalEye, assembled in Mississauga before final outfitting in Sweden, is cited as a foundation for deeper industrial ties.
- Saab says it could localize final assembly in Ukraine if a contract is concluded, complementing current Gripen production in Sweden and Brazil and subject to supplier approvals.
- Ukraine is pursuing a three-platform force of F-16s, Gripens and Rafales; a top Ukrainian pilot publicly backed the Gripen for rough-field operations, quick turnarounds, lower costs and broad weapons compatibility, while Dassault signaled readiness to discuss Rafale options.