Canada is quietly sizing up a fighter fleet far larger than anything it has publicly committed to, potentially 140 aircraft, combining Lockheed Martin F-35s with Saab Gripen-E jets built on Canadian soil.
CBC News reported the figure, citing sources with direct knowledge of discussions between Saab and Ottawa. “There could easily be a fleet of 140 aircraft,” one of those sources said.
Even in a scenario where both types proceed, Ottawa is still eyeing 72 to 88 F-35s. The Gripen side of the equation would add another 72 aircraft, manufactured in Canada. Sources say that contract alone would be the largest defence industrial project in Canadian history, supporting up to 9,000 jobs.
For context in terms of scale, Canada once flew 138 CF-18s in the 1980s. The Canadian Armed Forces now confirm fewer than 88 of those jets remain in service, without being more specific.
The industrial logic is inseparable from the diplomatic one. Prime Minister Mark Carney launched a review of the F-35 purchase in March last year, which was triggered by trade and diplomatic tensions with the Trump administration. Ottawa has since made clear that military spending must benefit Canada’s tariff-affected industrial sector.
Sources say Carney could also use the fate of the F-35 program as a bargaining chip in CUSMA renewal talks. The final call on fighter jets, sources add, rests firmly with him.
Information for this story was found via the sources and companies mentioned. The author has no securities or affiliations related to the organizations discussed. Not a recommendation to buy or sell. Always do additional research and consult a professional before purchasing a security. The author holds no licenses.
