Today at 01:09
Swedish defense company Saab is considering establishing a Gripen fighter aircraft production facility in Canada, a move that could eventually support future deliveries of the aircraft to Ukraine.
Speaking to The Canadian Press, Saab Deputy CEO Anders Carp said the proposal has already been discussed with Canadian officials as part of the company’s efforts to promote the JAS 39 Gripen as an alternative to the F-35 for the Royal Canadian Air Force, UATV English reports.
“With Canada, we have discussed and proposed that if they choose Gripen and want domestic production, this could become one of the locations from which aircraft would also be delivered to Ukraine,” Carp said.
According to Saab, manufacturing a Gripen fighter jet currently takes up to 36 months.
The proposal comes as Ukraine prepares to significantly expand its future fleet of Swedish aircraft. Earlier this week, Sweden approved the financing of up to 20 Gripen E/F fighters for Ukraine through the European Union’s Ukraine Support Loan mechanism. Stockholm also plans to transfer 16 Gripen C/D aircraft to Ukraine as part of bilateral military assistance.
Canada, meanwhile, signed an agreement in 2022 to purchase 88 American-made F-35 fighter jets and has already paid for the first batch of 16 aircraft from Lockheed Martin. However, Prime Minister Mark Carney ordered a review of the procurement program last year amid growing political and strategic debates surrounding the deal.
Canada’s Department of National Defence previously identified the Gripen as the only serious competitor to the F-35 during the fighter replacement process. Saab has continued lobbying for the aircraft by emphasizing the potential economic benefits of domestic production, including the creation of thousands of Canadian jobs.
If Canada were to proceed with a Gripen purchase and approve local manufacturing, the facility could become an important part of Saab’s global production network while also supporting long-term efforts to strengthen Ukraine’s air force.
The discussions reflect the growing international dimension of Ukraine’s military modernization, with allied countries increasingly exploring joint production and industrial cooperation projects linked to Kyiv’s future defense capabilities.
