Canada ‘interested’ in Swedish firm Saab’s Gripen fighter jets, Joly says
Global News
Canada did not get enough industrial benefit out of its F-35 deal with U.S. weapons maker Lockheed Martin, Industry Minister Melanie Joly said.
Canada is “interested” in potentially procuring the Gripen fighter jet from Sweden’s Saab, Industry Minister Melanie Joly said Tuesday, adding that Canada “didn’t get enough” out of the F-35 fighter jet deals from American firm Lockheed Martin.
“We’re looking at both at the same time,” Joly told reporters ahead of a cabinet meeting on Tuesday.
“I don’t believe that we’ve had enough jobs created and industrial benefits done out of the F-35 contract. I think it’s not enough. I think Canadians expect more and we should get more,” she said.
“When it comes to the Gripen, of course we’re really interested in seeing what can be done,” she said, adding that Swedish defence giant Saab has offered Ottawa 10,000 new Canadian manufacturing jobs.
“Ten thousand jobs is indeed a very interesting offer,” she said, adding that Ottawa is “having conversations with Saab.”
“At the same time, we’re looking at what Lockheed Market can do more,” Joly added.
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