Saab announces key partners for Gripen Canada

Saab confirms its intention to collaborate with several of Canada’s major international aerospace firms in a first step to establish a broad, national ecosystem that will build, deliver and support the Gripen E advanced multi-role fighter, should the Government of Canada proceed with a Gripen acquisition. The company said it plans to work with CAE, IMP and Magellan Aerospace as its principal Canadian industry partners if Gripen E is selected by the Government of Canada. If selected, Saab and its Canadian partners will establish a comprehensive, in-country capability for the production, final assembly, support and further development of airpower capabilities. The collaboration would also include in-service support (ISS), training and long-term sustainment capabilities. “Canada’s fighter capability is a long-term national investment. Together with CAE, IMP and Magellan Aerospace we are prepared to establish a strong Canadian industrial ecosystem around Gripen that delivers operational effect, national sovereignty and lasting industrial and technological benefits,” says Micael Johansson, President and CEO of Saab. Saab has signed a new Teaming Agreement with IMP to establish a new final assembly line, for the Gripen fighter in Canada, if Canada decides to acquire the aircraft. IMP will also be responsible for electrical assembly production and ISS for Canada’s Gripens. Saab has signed a new Memorandum of Understanding with Magellan Aerospace to provide local manufacturing of advanced aerostructures, composite structures and structural assemblies in Canada, if Canada decides to acquire the aircraft. Saab has previously signed a Memorandum of Understanding with CAE to deliver advanced fighter pilot and technician training, mission systems engineering and support/sustainment capabilities in Canada, if Canada decides to acquire the aircraft. “We are proud to be selected by Saab to establish a Canadian capability for the production and long-term support of Gripen. While that capability would be established to meet Canada’s requirements, its potential reaches well beyond Canada. We see a real opportunity for IMP to produce and support aircraft for Gripen customers internationally, positioning Canadian industry as an enduring part of the global Gripen program,” says David Gossen, President, IMP Aerospace & Defence. “As a proud Canadian manufacturer, Magellan Aerospace is well-positioned to bring decades of advanced aerospace manufacturing expertise to the Gripen program, supporting the creation of high-tech jobs and sovereign defence capability right here in Canada,” says Haydn Martin, Vice President Business Development, Magellan Aerospace. “CAE has decades of experience contributing to the mission readiness of fighter pilots around the world,” says Pascal Grenier, President, CAE Defense & Security. “We have a longstanding commitment to the Royal Canadian Air Force and its training needs. Should the Government of Canada select the Gripen, CAE is prepared to work with Saab to support Canada’s future fighter force.” These partnerships are designed to strengthen Canada’s sovereign defence capability while contributing to the development of advanced aerospace and defence expertise across the country. When activated, they will add significant new jobs and skills in areas such as high-technology manufacturing, advanced materials, and model-based systems engineering. They will also provide Canada with a self-reliant and sovereign capability to deploy, sustain and enhance a critical national asset for decades to come. Additionally, Saab is engaged with a broad range of Canadian companies, academic institutions and research organisations to further develop a future defence industrial ecosystem in Canada. Saab and GA-ASI successfully flight test LoyalEye AEW capability on MQ-9B Saab and General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) have successfully flight tested an unmanned airborne early warning (AEW) capability, integrating Saab’s LoyalEye airborne early warning radar with the MQ-9B remotely piloted aircraft system. Conducted during a flight at GA-ASI’s Desert Horizon Flight Operations Facility in Southern California, the activity validated the performance of the integrated system, including its ability to detect, track, and classify airborne targets from an unmanned platform.  Stakeholders attended the flight test and observed the capability in real time within a representative operational scenario, highlighting the progress made in the system’s development. The flight test is part of an evaluation programme that began with the system’s first flight in May 2026, underscoring the rapid progress of the capability. “This flight test marks an important milestone in the development of unmanned airborne early warning capabilities. LoyalEye is designed to complement existing AEW&C solutions by providing additional flexibility and persistence, and today’s flight validates the capability in a representative operational scenario”, says Carl-Johan Bergholm, head of Saab’s business area Surveillance. “This has been one of the most highly anticipated flight tests we have performed,” said GA-ASI President David R. Alexander. “The level of customer interest in AEW capability on MQ-9B throughout the world is extremely high. It just makes sense.” LoyalEye on MQ-9B can operate independently or alongside manned AEW&C platforms.   An unmanned AEW capability will be able to surveil large areas with persistent surveillance in operating environments where endurance, geographic reach, and reduced aircrew exposure are For Editorial Inquiries Contact: Editor Kym Bergmann at [email protected] For Advertising Inquiries Contact: Group Sales Director Simon Hadfield at [email protected]