Expect a Share of Canada's New Fighter ContractCanada has increased investment in the F-35, but more notably, also extended the bidding process to accommodate the Gripen proposal.
Either we're getting the Gripen or it's a bargaining chip for more F-35 work... but given the recent false friend history of the U.S. towards Canada, the independence and security of a SAAB partnership has become quite attractive.
Bombardier wisely held onto the business aircraft unit which also customizes its aircraft for militaries around the world, and is in the position to either take subcontracts for the hugely complex and high maintenance F-35, or better yet for our now crippled economy, to take on a lead manufaturer role with the more economical versatile and lower maintenance Gripen.
The current government is more likely to walk away from the F-35 than turn down the Gripen opportunity for lower costs, and higher value to our economy and our technology sector.