Canada eyes expanded fighter fleet combining F‑35s and Swedish Gripen jets

The Canadian government is reviewing its fighter procurement plan, considering a mixed fleet of American‑made Lockheed Martin F‑35s and Saab Gripen‑E jets. While the original target was 88 aircraft, sources say discussions could lead to a total of up to 140 aircraft, with as many as 72 Gripens. The Gripen option is linked to the domestic production of Saab’s GlobalEye airborne early‑warning aircraft, which Canada announced it is negotiating to acquire for Arctic surveillance and NORAD duties.

Saab projects that building 72 Gripens in Canada could create up to 9,000 jobs, making it the largest defence‑industrial project in the country. The plan faces resistance from some military officials who question the suitability of the GlobalEye platform and prefer alternative U.S. systems. Prime Minister Mark Carney’s review of the 88‑jet F‑35 purchase is seen as a lever in upcoming CUSMA renegotiations, adding a political dimension to the procurement decisions. “There could easily be a fleet of 140 aircraft,” one source familiar with the talks said. Retired major‑general Colin Keiver warned that the current GlobalEye version lacks certain operational capabilities required by the Royal Canadian Air Force.