GE Aerospace and Magellan have established a maintenance pact for Saab Gripen E engines, conditional upon Canada selecting the aircraft. this deal follows a similar partnership between Saab and CAE regarding domestic training and simulation.
The GE Aerospace and Magellan maintenance pact
GE Aerospace and Magellan have entered into a conditional agreement to maintain the engines for Saab’s Gripen E fighter jets. According to the report, this partnership is strictly dependent on the Canadian government's ultimate decision to purchase the Swedish aircraft for its air force.
Magellan brings significant aerospace expertise to this potential arrangement, as the company is already a vital component of the F-35 Lightning II supply chain in Canada. Currently, Magellan produces horizontal tail assemblies for the F-35 in Winnipeg, making them a logical partner for any major fighter jet program on Canadian soil.
Saab's bid to disrupt the 88-jet F-35 contract
The move by GE Aerospace and Magellan represents a significant escalation in the competition for Canada's future fighter fleet. For over a year, Prime Minister Mark Carney’s administration has been reviewing its existing contract to acquire 88 F-35 fighter jets from Lockheed Martin.
As the source reports, this procurement review was prompted by the trade tensions initiated by U.S.. President Donald Trump against Canada. The resulting economic uncertainty has left the governing Liberal party in a state of deliberation, with no clear date set for a final decision on whether to proceed with the Lockheed Martin deal or pivot to Saab's Gripen E.
Domestic manufacturing and the Ukraine export promise
Saab has positioned its Gripen E as more than just a replacement for Canada's aging fleet; it is presenting it as an industrial opportunity. the Swedish manufacturer has stated that if the federal government selects the Gripen, the jets could be manufactured within Canada.
Furthermore, Saab has suggested that aircraft produced on Canadian soil could potentially be exported to Ukraine. this adds a geopolitical dimension to the procurement process, framing the purchase as a way to bolster both domestic industry and international security interests.
This industrial push is supported by Saab's recent declaration that it is ready to work with the Canadian company CAE. the proposed collaboration would focus on a domestic training, flight simulation, and support program to ensure the aircraft is fully integrated into Canadian operations.
The Liberal government's missing decision timeline
Despite the rapid movement from private firms like GE Aerospace and Magellan , the Canadian government remains silent on its next steps. while Saab has already partnered with CAE for domestic training and flight simulation, the federal government has not provided a timeline for its decision.
It remains unclear whether the Liberal government will prioritize the pre-existing Lockheed Martin contract or if the economic and geopolitical pressures of the Trump-era trade war will force a shift toward the Saab alternative. The decision will ultimately determine whether Canada's aerospace sector aligns with American-made technology or a Swedish-led domestic manufacturing model.
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