OTTAWA – Saab CEO Micael Johansson says his company’s plan to set up shop in Canada to build fighter jets will depend largely on whether Ottawa buys its Gripen aircraft.
Johansson tells The Canadian Press it “doesn’t really make sense” to build the aircraft in a country that isn’t buying the jets, which are designed to be continuously upgraded as technology evolves.
Saab has proposed a production hub in Canada which could produce about 10,000 jobs — but the company is also looking at setting up in other countries in Europe.
The proposal comes as the federal government reviews its contract to buy up to 88 F-35 stealth fighters from U.S. manufacturer Lockheed Martin.
Industry Minister Mélanie Joly told reporters this week that Canada didn’t get enough industrial benefits from that deal.
Speaking alongside her Swedish counterpart, Industry Minister Ebba Busch, Joly said Thursday that while Canada is very much interested in Saab, Ottawa needs more details about the proposal.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 21, 2025.
