Sweden will deploy a Gripen fighter unit to Iceland in February and March 2026 to support NATO's incident preparedness mission. This is the first time Skaraborg Air Flotilla has participated with a fighter unit in a NATO operation, Breaking Defense reports.
Sweden's Defence Minister Pål Jonson said Wednesday that Canada's strong avionics sector makes it an ideal partner for Saab to expand Gripen production. The initiative comes amid Ukraine's request for 100-150 Gripen fighters, and Sweden cannot ramp up production alone if a Western coalition green-lights the transfer.
Sweden and Ukraine are making progress on a multi-billion-crown deal for up to 150 Saab JAS 39 Gripen E fighters. The two governments are exploring funding mechanisms that combine Ukrainian payments with Swedish military assistance and multilateral support, Breaking Defense reports.
Saab has presented an industrial proposal to support up to 12,600 jobs in Canada by localizing production of its Gripen fighter jet and GlobalEye airborne surveillance aircraft. According to AeroTime, Industry Minister Mélanie Joly confirmed that Ottawa is examining the proposal as part of its broader Canada-Sweden aerospace and defense partnership.
Saab CEO Micael Johansson shared detailed information with Canada about its Gripen E/F fighter jets as part of a 'dual fleet' pitch. The initiative aims to capitalize on US-Canada tensions and offers domestic production to sweeten the deal.
Saab and Embraer, in partnership with the Brazilian Air Force (FAB), have completed the certification flight test campaign for in-flight refueling between the F-39 Gripen E and the KC-390 Millennium. The campaign was carried out at Embraer's Gavião Peixoto facility, home to the Gripen Flight Test Centre.
Canada has confirmed it is making payments tied to long-lead components for 14 additional F-35A fighters, Prime Minister Mark Carney said in Parliament. The move preserves production timing and options, but the review of the full 88-jet plan continues.