The latest news on Canada. We now know that the country is in active negotiations with Swedish defence manufacturer SAAB to procure Gripen fighters, a move that could replace the aging CF-18s, with SAAB CEO having confirmed that negotiations were ongoing.
This follows tensions with the US and the looming collapse of the F-35 procurement deal. Despite the higher operational costs and advanced features of the F-35, the Gripen's lower purchase price and significantly reduced maintenance costs offer a compelling alternative.
While the Gripen may lack some of the F-35's cutting-edge stealth, it could provide greater fleet size and enhanced operational readiness. The two nations' cooperation through NORAD could also make the Gripen a valuable complement to American F-35s.