The Gripen fighter jet built by Sweden’s Saab has lost whatever open competition the Canadian military has held between it and the F-35. Despite this, the Carney government appears set to announce that it will buy the Gripen.

The leadership of the Royal Canadian Air Force, the leadership at the Department of National Defence, and Defence Minister David McGuinty all back proceeding with the planned purchase of 88 F-35 fighter jets.

LILLEY: Carney set to buy Swedish Gripen jet, and then what? Back to video

Yet, for political rather than military reasons, the Carney government is expected to announce shortly that Canada will pivot to buy the Swedish-made Gripen jet. While Minister McGuinty supports the military in their plans to purchase the F-35, Industry Minister Melanie Joly and Stephen Fuhr, the former fighter pilot turned point man for Carney on defence procurement, back the Gripen.

Joly supports buying the Gripen due to a combination of anti-Americanism and a desire to try and get Saab to........

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