DefenseBombardier in talks to manufacture Saab Gripen fighter in Canada
Bombardier has confirmed it is in discussions with Saab to manufacture the Gripen fighter aircraft in Canada. Talks between the two companies have been underway as Saab seeks to expand production capacity for the Gripen outside Sweden.
The potential arrangement follows comments by Saab CEO Micael Johansson, who indicated the company’s interest in internationalizing Gripen production. Local assembly could position Bombardier to supply both the Royal Canadian Air Force and export customers.
“We confirm discussions with Saab about the Gripen,” said Mark Masluch, senior director of communications at Bombardier.
Simon Carroll, president of Saab Canada, said the companies are continuing talks for “a range of opportunities in Canada.” The Royal Canadian Air Force is seeking replacements for its aging CF-18 fleet, and locally built Gripens could compete for the contract.
The Royal Canadian Air Force has a contract for 88 F-35A fifth-generation fighter jets, but friction with the Trump administration has cast doubt on the future of the agreement.
One alternative being considered is receiving only the first batch of 16 aircraft from Lockheed Martin, which are already in production, but then migrating to another platform.
Saab also faces interest from Ukraine, which has requested 100 to 150 Gripen E fighters. Canada-based production could support export campaigns while leveraging existing industrial capacity.
Saab and Bombardier already cooperate on the GlobalEye airborne early warning platform, providing a basis for collaboration. Manufacturing the Gripen in Canada could generate thousands of jobs, according to preliminary industry estimates.
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