OTTAWA — Swedish aerospace giant Saab is considering Canada as a place to assemble Gripen fighter jets as it moves to quickly ramp up production to meet the demand from Ukraine.

Saab's CEO Micael Johansson said in recent interviews with financial news publications that Kyiv's interest in purchasing more than 100 Gripen fighter jets would double the defence company's production needs.

The Financial Times and the Reuters news agency reported Johansson said in recent interviews that the company is searching for ways to expand production, possibly in Canada or elsewhere in Europe.

Industry Minister Mélanie Joly tells The Canadian Press this is welcome news and says she's been working with Saab to see what can be done for more partnerships with Canada — efforts that began with the Global Eye

See Full Page