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

[ytz]

Saab also has plans on a UCAV variant of the Gripen E (Loyal wingman anyone?), what are the chances this is the reason why they want to build here.

 

[Czech_pivo]

That's the running rumor. 30-40 Panthers. 60-70 Gripens. This is going to suck for the RCAF. I'm praying we don't also commit to the Globaleye. Especially now that NATO is cancelling the E-7.

So if the E7 is cancelled, what are the other options?

 

[MilEME09]

This one is debatable to me. Full tech transfer doesn't mean much unless the supply chain is substantially developed in Canada. But then how is that profitable for Saab? They never talk about Canadian content and supply chains. Just assembly and vague assertions to R&D.

Except it means we also have technical plans to go to company A, and say make us this widget.

 

[Altair]

Overall, this is great news.

One has to imagine the liberals would have made it so that whenever there is a open competition, the F35 wouldn't win, and they would go with a north american jet, thus SH by default.

Now, with them on the record as saying no F35 (although that could change) and in a trade dispute with Boeing, that leaves the Saab NG Gripen, the Eurofighter and Dassault Rafale.

I would be ok with any of those 3, amateurs preference in my case, being the Saab.

Saab also said it would build their fighters in canada, which would help...guess who, bombardier.

Saab CEO confirms talks with Ottawa, Bombardier for Gripen fighter jet production

Talks to continue during royal visit of Sweden’s King and Queen to Canada next week

www.theglobeandmail.com

Saab AB chief executive officer Micael Johansson confirmed on Thursday that his company is in talks with the federal government and Bombardier Inc. to build Saab’s Gripen fighter jet under licence in Canada, which he said could create 10,000 jobs in the country and spawn a research network to develop other aircraft, including drones.
“If Canada wants to create sovereign capabilities, not only buying planes, we are prepared to do that tech transfer for Canada,” Mr. Johansson said in an interview at Saab AB’s headquarters in Stockholm. “We are talking collaboration.”

Hehehe

 

[Kirkhill]

And the Euros back off the E7 leaving room for Saab.

European Nations Decide Against Acquiring Boeing E-7 AWACS Aircraft

Loss of the multi-billion dollar acquisition is a severe blow to U.S. dominance of European military landscape and will boost European defense technology

defensemirror.com

 

[Czech_pivo]

Good question.

I presume we're buying 30-40 Panthers so that NORAD doesn't get axed.



Massively plays into Trump's worldview that allies are screwing over the US. Cause this deal is literally two NATO allies that are banking on the US for protection from Russia.

Buy 65 and tell Trump to relax.
Buy 15 Gripens and use them as replacements for the Tutors.
Buy another 4 squadrons plus replacements and use them for NATO purposes.

 

[GR66]

32-40 F-35A's out of our 88 order could very well see other members of the JSF program/F-35 customers asking questions as to why contracts remain with a country that clearly has lost interest in the platform. Potential pressure on the contracts to be split up or sent abroad, away from Canadian companies.

Hypothetically if we were to go for 65 x F-35's for the NATO role and 65 x Gripens for the NORAD role we would still be one of the largest F-35 fleets (top 4-5?) so it would be hard for anyone to argue against us maintaining our parts contracts. Our NATO contribution would be much greater than our current plans (the original planned order was for 65 aircraft total to cover NORAD and NATO roles, but not simultaneously). It would be a split fleet but the total number of fighters would be about on par with our original CF-18 fleet.

Possibly more important that the actual Gripen assembly would be the R&D and production potential for domestic UAVs and CCVs which will play an increasingly important role in warfare.

 

[MilEME09]

Buy 65 and tell Trump to relax.
Buy 15 Gripens and use them as replacements for the Tutors.
Buy another 4 squadrons plus replacements and use them for NATO purposes.

Station them in Sweden close to Saab for cover for our latvia brigade.

I see more like a cold war level increase, 10 squadrons, 4 in canada, 6 in europe.

 

[Czech_pivo]

Station them in Sweden close to Saab for cover for our latvia brigade.

I see more like a cold war level increase, 10 squadrons, 4 in canada, 6 in europe.

Using Gripens to replace the tutors gives us a full squadron as replacements readily available.
If the US Blue Angels can be F18’s there is no reason why Gripens can’t be the new Snowbirds.

 

[ytz]

So if the E7 is cancelled, what are the other options?

We're definitely getting railroaded into getting the Globaleye. No 360 coverage. And can't refuel in the air. I honestly don't know what's worse. The Globaleye or the Gripen.

Buy 65 and tell Trump to relax.
Buy 15 Gripens and use them as replacements for the Tutors.
Buy another 4 squadrons plus replacements and use them for NATO purposes.

What makes this rumor so strange is that they could have chosen a middle of the road option that sends a message but won't piss off the Americans. But they seem to be going for broke here. And that phrase might be literal.

Kudos to Saab. They took Canadian emotions and milked us for every penny.