The major difference that they don’t cover is that the F-35 is designed, built and controlled by the United States, an adversary of Canada, already at economic war with Canada and with a declared objective to annex Canada and make it the 51st state of the United states, while the Gripen is designed, built and controlled by Sweden, a long standing ally of Canada with no hostile declarations or actions.
If you mean Sweden will transfer the technology to Canada so that Canada can have full and independent control of them and even maintain and build them entirely in Canada if they choose, then that’s even better.
The Gripen E is based on an American engine (F414). This means dependencies on licenses and authorizations. In a context of sovereignty, this is a point that needs to be addressed, not circumvented.
I wonder if a Canadian or European made engine is still possible. I guess anything is, at some a cost.
Investing in any aircraft with critical components controlled by Canada’s greatest current threat seems a poor strategy.
The major difference that they don’t cover is that the F-35 is designed, built and controlled by the United States, an adversary of Canada, already at economic war with Canada and with a declared objective to annex Canada and make it the 51st state of the United states, while the Gripen is designed, built and controlled by Sweden, a long standing ally of Canada with no hostile declarations or actions.
The Gripen is not controlled by Sweden since they offer to form our technician
If you mean Sweden will transfer the technology to Canada so that Canada can have full and independent control of them and even maintain and build them entirely in Canada if they choose, then that’s even better.
I think that’s the plan. Gripen will build a factory in Canada and form our technician. At least it was propose before the newest Trump’s tantrum
It seems that now they even proposed to transfer the software, and all servicing to be done in Canada, even for the engine (US made).
According to this brochure from SAAB:
But that’s from 2021, so maybe the current proposal is for a US made engine.
This from 2026 says:
I wonder if a Canadian or European made engine is still possible. I guess anything is, at some a cost.
Investing in any aircraft with critical components controlled by Canada’s greatest current threat seems a poor strategy.
Servicing of the engine would indeed be made in Canada: https://www.saab.com/markets/canada/press/saab-chooses-standardaero-to-maintain-gripen-engines-in-canada
You still need to purchase the engine and spare parts from GE.
I suppose Rolls Royce and Volvo could propose alternative engines, but I assume that’s as much dev, tests, certifications, so additional cost.
To my understanding, the plans for a Rolls-Royce engine have never moved forward and are not economical without a much larger market for the Gripens.