Aviation News – Swedish defense firm Saab says it could support up to 12,600 Canadian jobs by localizing production of its Gripen fighter jet and GlobalEye surveillance aircraft. The proposal comes as Canada continues to review its long-term fighter and defense aviation plans.
According to reporting by The Globe and Mail, Saab has presented Canadian officials with an industrial plan that would assemble both aircraft in Canada. The proposal includes potential partnerships with Canadian aerospace firms, including Bombardier, and is positioned as part of Ottawa’s ongoing assessment of future fighter capabilities and domestic industrial benefits.
The plan would bolt advanced combat aircraft and airborne early warning production onto Canada’s existing aerospace base. By assembling the Gripen and GlobalEye domestically, Saab says Canada would gain greater control over sustainment, upgrades, and supply chains while expanding high-skilled manufacturing and engineering roles.
“Building these aircraft in Canada would create long-term, high-value jobs and strengthen national aerospace sovereignty,” a Saab spokesperson said. “Our approach is designed to deliver both operational capability and enduring economic benefits.”
Looking ahead, the proposal gives Canadian policymakers an option that links defense procurement with industrial growth. Saab is encouraging the government to consider how localized production could support readiness, workforce development, and long-term innovation within Canada’s aerospace sector.
