Stockholm, November 5 - In a bold move to bolster Ukraine's aerial defenses amid escalating geopolitical tensions, Swedish aerospace powerhouse Saab is eyeing Canada as a prime hub for assembling its cutting-edge Gripen E fighter jets. This potential partnership with Canadian titan Bombardier emerges as Kyiv signals intent to acquire up to 150 of these multirole supersonic aircraft, a deal that could reshape global defense manufacturing landscapes. The Gripen E, renowned for its agility, cost-efficiency, and road-takeoff capabilities, has long been pitched as an ideal asset for nations like Ukraine seeking rapid, low-maintenance air superiority. With Sweden and Ukraine inking a letter of intent on October 22, 2025, in Linköping, Saab faces the urgent challenge of doubling its production output, currently limited to lines in Sweden and Brazil, to fulfill this landmark export order, potentially the largest in Gripen history.
The collaboration between Saab and Bombardier builds on a proven foundation of transatlantic synergy, particularly through their joint development of the Global Eye airborne early warning system. Bombardier's sleek Global 6000/6500 business jets form the airframe for this surveillance platform, augmented by Saab's advanced Erieye radar, demonstrating seamless integration of Canadian precision engineering with Swedish innovation. Discussions are underway to repurpose facilities at Bombardier's Toronto Pearson or Dorval sites in Quebec for Gripen E final assembly and testing, or even to greenlight a dedicated new plant if volumes surge. Saab CEO Micael Johansson emphasized in recent Financial Times interviews that such localization would not only accelerate deliveries to Ukraine but also establish Saab's inaugural North American industrial foothold, creating high-skilled jobs and injecting billions into Canada's robust aerospace sector.
This development arrives at a pivotal juncture for Ottawa's own fighter procurement saga. Canada is scrutinizing its C$19 billion commitment to 88 Lockheed Martin F-35 stealth jets, with the initial 16 aircraft locked in but the remainder under review for strategic alignment. Industry Minister Mélanie Joly, fresh from an August visit to Saab's Swedish headquarters, has championed expanded bilateral ties, highlighting shared commitments to European security and Ukraine's resilience. Joly's overtures underscore a "mixed fleet" possibility, pairing F-35s with Gripens, to safeguard sovereignty while maximizing industrial offsets. By hosting Gripen assembly, Canada could position itself as a linchpin in Western defense supply chains, countering U.S. dominance and fostering domestic upgrades for a potential Royal Canadian Air Force Gripen contingent.
As Ukraine's quest for 250 mixed fighters, including F-16s, Gripens, and Rafales, intensifies, Saab's Canadian gambit signals a strategic pivot toward diversified, geopolitically attuned production. While localization ambitions in Ukraine itself persist for symbolic frontline impact, Canada's stable infrastructure and NATO-aligned ecosystem offer unmatched reliability. This fusion of Scandinavian ingenuity, Canadian craftsmanship, and Ukrainian resolve could not only expedite vital warplane flows but also herald a new era of collaborative aerospace dominance, ensuring agile Gripens soar swiftly to where they're needed most.
