Newly leaked evaluation data has revealed that Lockheed Martin’s F-35A Lightning II overwhelmingly outperformed Saab’s Gripen-E in Canada’s 2021 fighter jet competition—scoring nearly three times higher than the Swedish aircraft. The revelation has reignited a heated debate within Ottawa over the future of the Royal Canadian Air Force’s (RCAF) fighter fleet as the government reopens aspects of the F-35 procurement under a broader defense review.
According to documents obtained by Radio-Canada, the F-35A received a striking 95% rating for military capabilities under the Department of National Defence (DND) evaluation, while the Gripen-E earned just 33%, or 19.8 out of 60 points. The assessment ranked aircraft on their ability to defend North America, conduct complex operations alongside allied forces, and succeed in high-end missions against modern threats.
The gap was especially pronounced in two critical categories: mission performance and the aircraft’s upgradeability over its life cycle—areas where the F-35’s stealth design, fused sensor suite, and global modernization program gave it a clear advantage.
“The capability assessment here says that there is a clear-cut winner, no contest, no ambiguity,” said David Perry, president of the Canadian Global Affairs Institute, in an interview with CBS News. “I expected the F-35 to be the winner, but this is a winner by a mile.”
The disclosures come at a politically sensitive moment for Ottawa, as the Carney government completes an ongoing review of major defense purchases and questions swirl about whether Canada will proceed with buying all 88 F-35s approved in 2022—or consider a mixed fleet that includes Saab’s Gripen-E.
Canada has already paid for 16 F-35A fighters, with the first aircraft set to arrive as the RCAF revamps infrastructure and training systems to support the fifth-generation platform. Defense officials and military veterans warn that introducing a second jet type—such as the Gripen-E—would impose significant costs, complications, and delays.
“A mixed fleet would create serious operational and logistical challenges,” said a senior retired RCAF commander. “Pilot conversion, maintenance systems, simulators, weapons integration—these cannot be duplicated affordably.”
Those concerns echo comments made earlier this year by RCAF Commander Lt.-Gen. Jamie Speiser-Blanchet, who underscored the need for a fifth-generation platform capable of taking on modern threats.
“Both China and Russia have fifth-generation fighter aircraft and fifth-generation missiles that can go at much greater speeds,” he said, adding that these systems are “holding Western allies at risk at this moment in time.”
Despite the renewed debate, Canada’s Secretary of State for Defense Procurement, Stephen Fuhr, told CBC in October 2025 that the government is not abandoning the F-35.
“I don’t think that’s the direction we’re heading,” Fuhr said. “But there’ll be a decision, and we’ll make it when we’re ready.”
The leaked scoring data is an unwelcome blow to Saab, which has spent years campaigning aggressively to sell its Gripen-E/F fighters to the RCAF. The company launched its “Gripen for Canada” initiative in 2018, complete with a dedicated blog, extensive social media promotion, and pledges of substantial industrial benefits.
Saab stressed its aircraft’s cost-effectiveness, fuel efficiency, advanced electronic warfare capabilities, and open architecture, which enables rapid software upgrades. The company argued that Gripen offered “full technological sovereignty,” with no export restrictions and no dependence on U.S. technology controls—unlike the tightly regulated F-35.
The Swedish manufacturer assembled a high-powered industrial team—including IMP Aerospace & Defence, CAE, Peraton Canada, and GE Aviation—and offered local manufacturing, technology transfer, and thousands of Canadian jobs.
“Saab’s bid… will deliver high-quality jobs and technology, adding greater economic value across Canadian industry coast to coast,” the company said in 2020.
But in March 2022, Ottawa revealed it was negotiating only with Lockheed Martin—prompting Saab Canada President Simon Carroll to accuse the government of unfair conduct.
“There should be no negotiation on these critical elements at this stage,” Carroll said. “The process was not transparent… Canada chose politics over merit.”
Saab’s campaign regained momentum in March 2025, after Prime Minister Mark Carney announced a review of the F-35 acquisition amid deteriorating relations with the Trump administration in Washington. Sensing an opportunity, Saab relaunched its lobbying efforts with even greater intensity.
This time, Sweden’s government is actively involved. In early November, King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia visited Canada with a delegation that included Deputy Prime Minister Ebba Busch, Defense Minister Pål Jonson, and more than 60 business leaders.
Carney and the Swedish monarchs announced a new strategic partnership covering defense, trade, and environmental cooperation—fueling speculation that Swedish platforms such as Gripen fighters and GlobalEye AEW&C aircraft may be part of future deals.
“In difficult times, you should really choose your friends wisely,” Busch said, calling Sweden a trusted partner that produces “submarines and fighter jets—two things Canada plans to buy.”
Saab’s CEO, Micael Johansson, also traveled to Ottawa days before the federal budget, reportedly meeting senior Canadian officials to push the Gripen proposal.
Saab has strengthened its offer by pledging to open a third Gripen production line in Canada, after Sweden and Brazil, to supply both Canadian needs and future foreign sales—including to Ukraine, which may request up to 150 Gripen-Es.
Bombardier—whose Global 6000/6500 serves as the base for Saab’s GlobalEye AEW&C platform—has signaled it would participate in local production.
“Bombardier is open to providing local expertise if the government of Canada decides to go this route,” said senior communications director Mark Masluch.
Saab officially entered GlobalEye into Canada’s ongoing competition for an airborne early warning and control aircraft, a move widely seen as part of a packaged offer aimed at maximizing domestic economic benefits.
The Carney government reportedly views GlobalEye favorably, particularly because it is built on a Canadian-made aircraft.
Saab’s renewed campaign has also spilled onto social media, where a wave of posts and influencers have amplified pro-Gripen narratives on platforms such as X, Instagram, and TikTok. Hashtags like #GripenForCanada highlight claims that buying the F-35 undermines Canadian sovereignty.
After the leaked 2021 evaluation results became public, Swedish users mobilized online in defense of the Gripen. One popular post read:
“Washington says you’re a ‘bad ally’ if you refuse F-35 dependency… Small countries should not be fully sovereign—just pick your master.”
The messaging underscores a broader political argument Saab has leaned on: that the Gripen is a symbol of independence from U.S. defense influence.
With the leaked scores now public, pressure is mounting on Ottawa to explain how the F-35—already selected as the winner through a competitive process—might still face a political challenge from Saab’s renewed campaign.
Defense analysts note that the Carney government faces competing priorities: strengthening relations with Sweden, diversifying defense suppliers, appealing to domestic industry, and maintaining credible deterrence alongside NORAD and NATO.
But the DND’s internal evaluation leaves little technical wiggle room.
The F-35 did not just win—it dominated.
Canada remains on track to integrate its first tranche of F-35s. Whether Saab’s diplomatic offensive and economic promises can shift the political calculus remains uncertain, but the newly leaked data has sharply narrowed the debate.
