The RCAF's Next Generation Fighter (CF-188 Replacement)

[don3wing]

And is that for the Gripen E or the Gripen C/D, because there is currently one production model Gripen E in operational service in the world, so we have zero data on real world maintenance and flight hour costs.

As of Nov 2025 the Brazilian Air Force had 11 Gripen E. Fact check.

Saab delivers eleventh Gripen E fighter to Brazilian Air Force as binational programme advances

Saab has delivered another F-39E Gripen to the Brazilian Air Force, with aircraft 4111 landing at Anápolis Air Base at 10:26 on 19 November after a one-hour and three-minute flight from Navegantes.

defence-industry.eu

Swedish Air Force accepts its first Gripen E into service - European Security & Defence

The Swedish Air Force (SwAF) accepted into operational service its first Saab Gripen E fighter on 20 October 2025 during an event at F7 Såtenäs.

euro-sd.com

 

[PrairieFella]

Over what time horizon? This is the problem with these discussions. Everybody looks at the news today and thinks the Gripen will be fine. Meanwhile the Air Staff is looking at data points like this"

The Evolution of Russian and Chinese Air Power Threats

Russian and, particularly, Chinese capabilities now pose greater threats to Western air power than in 2020.

www.rusi.org

If we buy Gripens, we are getting them past 2030 and intend to fly them into the 2060s. Can anybody confidently say that the threat picture in 2045 (not even halfway point on aircraft life) will be just fine for non-LO aircraft?



We're literally having a national debate on how much we want to rely on those traditional allies. I think there's a growing understanding that reliance comes with a quid pro quo that many Canadians may not want. Albeit, with the irony that buying the Panther creates a dependence the same lot don't like either.

But also, governments have a habit of not putting such assumptions in policy. And then risking the troops anyway when the time comes. Let them state in the defence policy that the RCAF won't fight high end threats outside of a coalition with allies who are bringing more advanced aircraft.

Im not expert and nor will I pretend to be. But from a utility perspective is there some wisdom in having some Hawker Hurricanes to our Supermarine Spitfires? A cheaper workhorse for less complex tasks?