The Swedish aerospace company Saab says Canada could gain as many as 10,000 manufacturing and research jobs if Ottawa chooses its Gripen fighter jet for the Canadian Armed Forces — a move the company says could also position Canada as a major production hub for global buyers.
In an interview at Saab’s Stockholm headquarters, President and CEO Micael Johansson told CTV News he has discussed with the federal government the possibility of building Gripen aircraft in Canada. He said the company is prepared to transfer technology and help establish domestic capabilities for upgrades, parts production, final assembly, and testing.
Johansson noted that Canadian firms such as Bombardier and CAE in Montreal, along with IMP Aerospace and Defence in Nova Scotia, could play key roles in a partnership. Saab is open to either creating a joint venture or expanding existing collaborations. The company says Canada’s first domestically built Gripen could roll off the assembly line in three to five years, in a new or repurposed facility.
Beyond Canada’s own military needs, Johansson said a Canadian production hub could support other countries, including Ukraine, which has already indicated interest in acquiring up to 100 Gripens. With Sweden facing limited engineering and production capacity, Saab sees Canada as an ideal partner — particularly given shared strategic interests such as Arctic sovereignty.
The proposal comes as Canada reconsiders its current plan to purchase up to 88 F-35 fighter jets from U.S. manufacturer Lockheed Martin. Prime Minister Mark Carney ordered a review of the acquisition earlier this year, leaving open the possibility of switching to a mixed fleet that includes Gripens.
A large Swedish delegation led by King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia will visit Ottawa and Montreal next week to strengthen defence ties. Johansson, who will take part in the trip, is scheduled to visit Bombardier but says there is no indication yet that Canada is close to a final decision.
He emphasized that Saab is not lobbying for the deal, but simply responding to questions from Ottawa. “It would be a win for Sweden, Canada, and Europe,” Johansson said, “but ultimately, the choice belongs to Canada.”
