there were likely many smiles at Lockheed Martin as it looks like Canada will adopt
the F-35 Lightning II. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had previously sought to nix any deal,
Ottawa announced that the fifth-generation stealth fighter is the best solution for Canada’s
needs and to replace the aging CF-18 fleet. Lockheed Martin’s win – which comes just a
week after the United States Department of Defense (DoD) announced that it was scaling
back on its F-35 order for the Fiscal Year 2023 (FY23) – is Saab’s loss. The Swedish aerospace
giant had touted the Gripen E as a viable and cost-effective aircraft to replace the CF-18.
Finland had also announced earlier this year that it was also opting for the F-35 over the Gripen E.
Saab had touted the Gripen E as being best suited for Canada’s climate conditions and
strategic requirements, and also noted that it had the longest range and best fuel efficiency of the
aircraft being considered by Trudeau’s government. Development of the Gripen E
Development of the JAS 39 Gripen (Griffin) began in the 1970s when the government in
Stockholm began to explore the development of an aircraft that could be capable of fighter,
attack, and recon missions after evaluating several existing foreign aircraft including
the American F-16 and F-18 fighters. The Swedish Parliament decided in June 1982 to
move forward with the Swedish project, and the JAS 39 Gripen was initially