Prior to the presentation of the federal budget, the CEO of Swedish company Saab visited Ottawa to meet with the head of the Privy Council, indicating potential negotiations between the Canadian government and the military manufacturer.
Sources revealed that the meeting between Michael Sabia and Micael Johansson on Oct. 31 emphasized Canada’s interest in procuring European military equipment and enhancing local production capabilities.
Further indications are expected during the upcoming visit of Swedish King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia, accompanied by a business and political delegation, including Sweden’s deputy prime minister, Ebba Busch, and defence minister, Pål Jonson, along with over 60 members of the Swedish business community.
Representatives from the Wallenberg family, known for their significant holdings in companies like Ericsson and Saab, are also part of the delegation. Saab is renowned for manufacturing Gripen fighter jets and the GlobalEye surveillance aircraft.
The visit, which includes stops in Ottawa and Montreal, aims to strengthen Canada’s military ties with a fellow NATO and Arctic nation following the announcement of $82 billion in new defense spending by the Carney government.
The delegation will visit Bombardier’s facilities in Montreal to explore potential collaborations on producing Gripens for the Canadian market and engaging with prospective clients like Ukraine.
President of Saab Canada, Simon Carroll, expressed Saab’s interest in expanding its presence in Canada due to the country’s skilled workforce, identifying Canada as an ideal partner for meeting global demands.
According to Christina Keighren from Business Sweden, which organized the commercial delegation, both countries mutually benefit in the current complex global scenario.
The visit is set against the backdrop of strained Canada-U.S. relations since President Trump took office, prompting Canada to reconsider its purchase of F-35 fighter jets from Lockheed Martin. While committed to acquiring at least 16 F-35s, there is talk of incorporating both F-35s and Gripens in the Royal Canadian Air Force fleet.
Experts highlight the cost-effectiveness of Gripen E compared to F-35 but stress the challenges of maintaining and operating two aircraft types, particularly concerning training and infrastructure.
Following the F-35 review, Bombardier executives engaged with Innovation Minister Mélanie Joly multiple times, with a visit to Saab’s Gripen-E factory organized in August.
Canada sees King Carl’s state visit as an opportunity to strengthen European alliances and diversify military equipment sources.
A senior government source raised the question of alignment preferences between the U.S. and Europe, emphasizing the importance of strategic decision-making for Canada.
Political scientist Justin Massie supports Canada’s alliance diversification efforts, emphasizing the necessity of reliable, long-term partnerships.
Carleton University’s Philippe Lagass