Saab has said Canada could play a role in the development of future sixth-generation combat aircraft technologies, as Ottawa continues to review the scope of its planned acquisition of F-35A fighter jets.
According to a CBC News report on March 4, 2026, the Swedish defense company believes Canada could become a partner in shaping next-generation air combat capabilities while positioning its Gripen fighter as a potential alternative in Canada’s fighter replacement program.
Launched in 2023, Sweden’s Koncept för Framtida Stridsflyg (KFS), or Future Combat Aviation Concept, is a national effort to define the country’s next-generation air combat capability. In October 2025, Sweden’s Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) awarded Saab a contract worth about SEK 2.6 billion ($283 million) to continue research into the KFS program. The effort focuses on technologies for next-generation air combat, including both manned and unmanned systems.
Read more: Saab flies AI-controlled Gripen E in real-world BVR combat flight trials
The program aims to explore how future fighters could operate as part of a broader “system of systems,” combining crewed aircraft, autonomous platforms and advanced sensors.
Saab has suggested that partners could contribute to these future capabilities, positioning Canada as a potential participant in shaping the technologies that may define sixth-generation combat aviation.
Saab highlights industrial partnership with Canada
Saab’s message to Canada has centered on the potential for deeper industrial cooperation, particularly through domestic production and long-term aerospace workshare.
The company has previously proposed building Gripen fighters and GlobalEye airborne early warning aircraft in Canada if Ottawa selects the Swedish offer. Such a plan could involve Canadian aerospace companies including Bombardier, for which the Global 6000 business jet serves as the platform for the GlobalEye system.
Saab has argued that a Canadian-based production line could support thousands of jobs while ensuring that much of the intellectual property and maintenance work remains in the country.
The industrial dimension has been a recurring element of Saab’s outreach. In 2025, the company confirmed discussions with Canadian authorities and Bombardier regarding potential licensed production of the Gripen, emphasizing long-term domestic economic benefits.
Canada maintains commitment to F-35 program
Canada originally selected the F-35A under the Future Fighter Capability Project, which envisions the acquisition of 88 aircraft to replace the Royal Canadian Air Force’s aging CF-18 fleet.
However, Prime Minister Mark Carney confirmed in early 2026 that Canada has so far committed funding only for an initial batch of aircraft. Ottawa has contracted for 16 F-35As and begun making payments for long-lead components for 14 additional aircraft.
The payments preserve Canada’s place in the production queue while leaving room for political and industrial discussions about the long-term structure of the fleet.
US warns against reducing F-35 purchase
US officials have warned that reducing Canada’s planned F-35 purchase could affect interoperability within the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD). Washington has suggested the US might need to increase its own fighter presence in Canadian airspace if Ottawa scaled back its planned fleet.
A separate CBC report highlighted that, in addition to the US-made GE F414G engine, a Canadian Gripen purchase would depend on US-controlled interoperability hardware, such as the Multifunctional Information Distribution System (MIDS) used for Link 16. Washington could, in theory, withhold these components, potentially undermining the feasibility of a mixed F-35–Gripen fleet from the outset.
