By Dalena Reporters — Ottawa, Canada — 13 November 2025
Swedish aerospace and defense company Saab has announced it is in discussions to potentially build its Gripen fighter jets in Canada — a deal that could create as many as 10,000 jobs in the Canadian aerospace and manufacturing sectors. The comments were made by Saab CEO Micael Johansson in recent interviews, according to multiple reports.
Saab is reportedly engaging with both the Canadian government and Bombardier, a major Canadian aerospace firm, on the possibility of setting up a licensed manufacturing line. Bombardier has confirmed it is open to contributing local expertise if Ottawa allows the project to move forward.
This move appears driven by Saab’s need to scale up production — particularly as Ukraine shows strong interest in acquiring more than 100 Gripen jets, which Saab says would roughly double its current production requirements. Establishing a Canadian production hub would give Saab more global manufacturing capacity, especially at a time of increased demand.
Canadian government officials see this as a major industrial opportunity. At the Canadian Aerospace Summit, Industry Minister Mélanie Joly expressed optimism, saying Saab’s proposal “starts with the GlobalEye surveillance aircraft … but also a deeper industrial partnership. GlobalEye, another Saab system, is already being built in part on Canadian-made Bombardier airframes — underlining the close industrial ties.
From Saab’s perspective, building in Canada makes strategic sense. Simon Carroll, president of Saab Canada, has stated the country’s “formidable aerospace industry” is well-positioned to support significant expansion. The plan could include assembly, technological work, and potentially long-term maintenance of the fighter jets — forming part of a “comprehensive support and training package.
If realised, the job creation potential is significant: 10,000 new roles would encompass not only aerospace manufacturing but also high-skilled research, development, and systems integration. The proposal could offer a major economic boost to regional aerospace clusters, especially in Quebec, where Saab previously outlined plans for two aerospace centres.
Despite the promise, several hurdles remain: there is no signed contract yet, Saab’s plans depend heavily on a formal commitment from Canada, and final assembly would require major capital investment. Analysts also note that geopolitical risks and defence procurement decisions could influence the deal’s trajectory.
Still, Saab’s pursuit of a Canadian production hub comes at a critical moment — as the company looks to expand, Canada seeks to strengthen its domestic aerospace capabilities, and global defence demand remains high.
If successful, this deal could reshape Canada’s role in global fighter jet manufacturing, enhance its aerospace sovereignty, and deliver thousands of skilled jobs — while positioning Saab as a major partner in the future of Canadian defense.
Dalena Reporters — Where facts meet clarity and consequence.