Saab Considers Assembling Ukraine-Bound Gripen Jets in Canada

Swedish defense company Saab is weighing the possibility of assembling Gripen fighter jets in Canada, a move tied to the growing demand from Ukraine, which plans to acquire up to 150 aircraft under a yet-to-be-signed agreement with Sweden.

According to CityNews, Canada’s Industry Minister Melanie Joly described the discussions as “good news” during the Aerospace Summit in Ottawa, confirming ongoing talks with Saab’s leadership about expanding cooperation. The partnership already includes work on the Global Eye airborne early warning and control (AWACS) aircraft.

Saab Canada President Simon Carroll said the company is looking to grow its manufacturing footprint in both Canada and Europe, calling Canada a “key market” to support rising global demand. Saab is already collaborating with Canadian aerospace firms on Global Eye production, with assembly taking place in Mississauga before radar and sensor systems are installed in Sweden.

The potential Gripen production line would mark Saab’s second major industrial project in Canada. The company had earlier proposed local manufacturing as part of a bid to replace Canada’s aging CF-18 (F/A-18) fleet, but Lockheed Martin’s F-35 was ultimately selected.

Canada’s government is now reviewing a contract to purchase 88 F-35s, though officials have not ruled out the possibility of operating a mixed fleet that could include Gripen fighters.

The discussions come shortly after Sweden and Ukraine signed a letter of intent covering the potential delivery of up to 150 Gripen jets. The deal remains under negotiation.