Gripens Bound for Ukraine Could Be Built in Canada: Saab

A replica of a Saab Gripen multirole fighter aircraft is shown at the Cansec annual defence industry trade show in Ottawa on May 28, 2026. The Canadian Press/Justin Tang

Swedish defence firm Saab says if Ottawa chooses to buy its Gripen E fighter jets, Canada could end up making some of the ones destined for Ukraine’s air force.

Saab says up to 20 of its Gripen jets will be built for Ukraine under a European Union support loan agreement and Sweden will donate 16 older-model Gripens to the war-torn country.