For those who want Canada to buy/build the Gripen one might view this as another piece of the puzzle leading to the potential acquisition of the Gripen. I might be reading too much into it. I still think it’s all tied into Trump and CUSMA. Unless things go right off the rails with the U.S. the f35 is reaching the point where cancelling the order is practically speaking not even an option. What that leaves us with is convincing the Americans to get on board with a supplementary Gripen acquisition so Canada has enough operational airframes to contribute to NORAD/continental/arctic defence needs to offset the shockingly poor readiness rates of the F35. Remember 88 f35s gets us about 36 operational mission ready jets(if we’re lucky) which also happens to be the exact number of mission-ready jets required by Canada under our NORAD commitments. Or just stick with the f35, get the Mirabel maintenance depot up and running(unless Trump blocks it) and pound away at those readiness rates, and then go all in on GCAP. I say take the Swedish offer and I’m betting the utility of those crafty little jets will prove their worth over many years. We can than begin work with Sweden developing CCA’s to expand the capabilities of our Gripen fleet and use that experience to allow Canadian manufacturers to contribute to GCAP as a higher tier partner and focus our efforts on becoming leaders/experts in the emerging system of systems space. Pins and needles in the meantime.
Uhh. Yeah.. I’m right here buddy. Wrote a whole post about it. I’ve been pushing it to the detriment of my mental health. Many see it as a waste of time and honestly I’m beginning to think I’m just howling at the moon while pissing in the wind.
I’m a trusted partner lover more than anything else. But we are so damn integrated with the U.S. that it’ll be years before we get some measure of sovereign control back. It will require determination, diversification, and most importantly time.
For those who want Canada to buy/build the Gripen one might view this as another piece of the puzzle leading to the potential acquisition of the Gripen. I might be reading too much into it. I still think it’s all tied into Trump and CUSMA. Unless things go right off the rails with the U.S. the f35 is reaching the point where cancelling the order is practically speaking not even an option. What that leaves us with is convincing the Americans to get on board with a supplementary Gripen acquisition so Canada has enough operational airframes to contribute to NORAD/continental/arctic defence needs to offset the shockingly poor readiness rates of the F35. Remember 88 f35s gets us about 36 operational mission ready jets(if we’re lucky) which also happens to be the exact number of mission-ready jets required by Canada under our NORAD commitments. Or just stick with the f35, get the Mirabel maintenance depot up and running(unless Trump blocks it) and pound away at those readiness rates, and then go all in on GCAP. I say take the Swedish offer and I’m betting the utility of those crafty little jets will prove their worth over many years. We can than begin work with Sweden developing CCA’s to expand the capabilities of our Gripen fleet and use that experience to allow Canadian manufacturers to contribute to GCAP as a higher tier partner and focus our efforts on becoming leaders/experts in the emerging system of systems space. Pins and needles in the meantime.
Saab produces all sorts of things, I wouldn’t read anything I to this at all vis a vis Gripen.
Too late….I already wrote a meandering crazy post about it. 🤪
With a these announcements, I can't be the only thinking the Gripen might happen right?
Uhh. Yeah.. I’m right here buddy. Wrote a whole post about it. I’ve been pushing it to the detriment of my mental health. Many see it as a waste of time and honestly I’m beginning to think I’m just howling at the moon while pissing in the wind.
Hang in there, take it easy and many of us are praying like you for a mixed fleet, hopefully more Gripen than the expensive rental aircraft.
You guys aren't alone…I think there are lots of Gripen lovers out there…😎
I’m a trusted partner lover more than anything else. But we are so damn integrated with the U.S. that it’ll be years before we get some measure of sovereign control back. It will require determination, diversification, and most importantly time.