It would make it much easier for them to integrate into NORAD & NATO missions, reduce financial pressure for American tax payers, and have much hardier and versatile fighters with lower maintenance costs.
Canada’s Military current state & equipment
- Thread starter Ron in Regina
- Start date
Deals are getting done. Submarines from Germany. Airplanes from Sweden and Canada.
Wonder how much use we ever got from the pile of second hand scrap they bought from Austrailia. Probably still get a laugh over that hanging out around the billabong.
BBD stock on the move
Wonder how much use we ever got from the pile of second hand scrap they bought from Austrailia. Probably still get a laugh over that hanging out around the billabong.
BBD stock on the move
Don't bring unexploded material to police, they'll pick it up, OPP say
Woman, 77, brings unexploded grenade to Ottawa OPP station
Author of the article:Staff Reporter
Published Jul 11, 2026 • Last updated 1 day ago • 1 minute read
Second World War era grenade dropped off at Ontario Provincial Police station July 10, 2026. OPP
Second World War era grenade dropped off at Ontario Provincial Police station July 10, 2026. OPP OPP VIA X
Provincial police say they’re ready and willing to help with problem items like the Second World War era hand grenade brought to the Ottawa detachment Friday.
But they urge residents to call ahead and allow the experts to pick up and dispose of the explosive material.
Const. Michael Fathi of the OPP’s Ottawa detachment said a 77-year-old area resident came across the grenade, as well as a second “live” shell, while cleaning her basement.
She brought the items to the station, but Fathi said the woman was told to leave the (potential) explosives outside.
“You don’t know what condition they’re in, whether they can still explode,” he noted.
“You don’t want to take chance.”
The grenade stayed outside the OPP detachment while explosives experts stored it safely pending the arrival of members of Canadian Forces at Petawawa to take possession to dispose of the device.
While the exact model wasn’t identified, according to Wikipedia, the common U.S. Mk 2 hand grenade contained about 57 grams of TNT and could inflict casualties with shrapnel up to 45 meters away, “which was often further than a soldier could safely throw it.”
Fathi also noted it was unclear where the explosives came from originally.
He said it’s not the first time he or his colleagues have been called to deal with such devices.
“When I was posted at Kemptville, we had (explosives delivered to the post) several times,” he said.
The safest solution is for people to contact their local police to pick the device up, he stressed.
![grenade_304232045[1].jpg](https://forums.canadiancontent.net/data/attachments/33/33328-2d2f53142b9746ba6d515f490ba254f4.jpg "grenade_304232045[1].jpg")
torontosun.com
Woman, 77, brings unexploded grenade to Ottawa OPP station
Author of the article:Staff Reporter
Published Jul 11, 2026 • Last updated 1 day ago • 1 minute read
Second World War era grenade dropped off at Ontario Provincial Police station July 10, 2026. OPP
Second World War era grenade dropped off at Ontario Provincial Police station July 10, 2026. OPP OPP VIA X
Provincial police say they’re ready and willing to help with problem items like the Second World War era hand grenade brought to the Ottawa detachment Friday.
But they urge residents to call ahead and allow the experts to pick up and dispose of the explosive material.
Const. Michael Fathi of the OPP’s Ottawa detachment said a 77-year-old area resident came across the grenade, as well as a second “live” shell, while cleaning her basement.
She brought the items to the station, but Fathi said the woman was told to leave the (potential) explosives outside.
“You don’t know what condition they’re in, whether they can still explode,” he noted.
“You don’t want to take chance.”
The grenade stayed outside the OPP detachment while explosives experts stored it safely pending the arrival of members of Canadian Forces at Petawawa to take possession to dispose of the device.
While the exact model wasn’t identified, according to Wikipedia, the common U.S. Mk 2 hand grenade contained about 57 grams of TNT and could inflict casualties with shrapnel up to 45 meters away, “which was often further than a soldier could safely throw it.”
Fathi also noted it was unclear where the explosives came from originally.
He said it’s not the first time he or his colleagues have been called to deal with such devices.
“When I was posted at Kemptville, we had (explosives delivered to the post) several times,” he said.
The safest solution is for people to contact their local police to pick the device up, he stressed.
Don't bring unexploded material to police, they'll pick it up, OPP say
OPP urges residents to call police to handle explosive material and not bring potentially live grenades to the detachment.
Canada joining sixth-generation fighter jet project as observer, source says — The Globe and Mail
Its membership is part of country’s efforts to diversify defence ties, economic relations beyond U.S.
The official said Defence Minister David McGuinty on Tuesday will announce – alongside his British, Japanese and Italian counterparts – that Canada is the first country to be admitted as an observer to the Global Combat Air Programme.
It could also be a prelude to one day purchasing the sixth-generation aircraft produced by Britain, Japan and Italy or participating more fully in the program, the official said.
Canada will announce next week it is taking an observer role in the Global Combat Air Programme, a joint initiative by Britain, Japan and Italy to develop a next-generation fighter aircraft, according to a senior Canadian government official.
Pilot training will happen in Canada if Ottawa buys Gripen jets, Saab says - National | Globalnews.ca
The Swedish jet maker has been trying to convince the Canadian government to buy some of its Gripen E fighters for the country's new fleet.
globalnews.ca
In a media statement, the companies say the deal would mean critical operational and mission systems information would stay in Canada under Canadian control.
U.S. ambassador calls F-35s ‘phenomenal success’ as Canada considers Swedish fighter jets
Pete Hoekstra invoked the longstanding bilateral defence partnership between Canada and the United States on Wednesday, as Canada considers diversifying its fighter jet fleet procurement.
The F-35 uses unmatched sensor fusion combining all onboard and allied data into a comprehensive battlefield picture. It maxes out at roughly Mach 1.6 with an internal weapons payload. High maintenance demands with low mission-capable rates historically hovering around 36% to 50%. The cost per flight hour is roughly $30,000 to $40,000 USD.
The Lockheed Martin F-35 and Saab Gripen E/F represent two distinct military philosophies. The F-35 is a multi-role stealth fighter designed to penetrate heavily defended airspace as an intelligence and sensor hub. The Gripen is a highly agile, lower-cost "scrambler" designed for sovereign national defense, austere environments, and high-tempo readiness.
The Griffin E/F’a rely on powerful electronic warfare systems (like the Arexis suite), speed, and IRST (Infrared Search and Track) to detect and jam enemy platforms. While highly capable, it lacks the radar-evading shape of the F-35. Significantly more affordable, with a cost per flight hour of about $10,000 USD and documented readiness/availability rates often exceeding 70% to 80%.
Engineered to operate from short, dispersed road strips and can be maintained by small, conscript-level ground crews. It offers full national data control, allowing countries (such as Brazil with the F-program) total independence over software and upgrades. Integrates the long-range Meteor missile and features a unique mechanically rotating AESA radar that enables "offset tactics" (firing and turning away while still guiding the missile). It is lighter, faster, and can reach Mach 2.
Modern stealth fighters require specialized maintenance and US-made replacement components. By refusing to supply critical parts or withholding software/maintenance support, the US can effectively ground a foreign F-35 fleet within a short timeframe.
Beyond threats, America incentivizes Canada to participate in the F-35 program through guaranteed industrial contracts and superior continental defense interoperability. Canada's aerospace sector is deeply integrated into the F-35 supply chain, with companies nationwide securing work on the global fleet.
Saab CAE MOU - Gripen for Canada Press Release
Saab and CAE today announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to deliver advanced fighter pilot training, mission systems engineering, and support sustainment capabilities in Canada if the Government of Canada should add Gripen E to the Royal Canadian Air Force's future fighter...
www.saab.com
Interoperability
Saab's offer has now passed all aspects of Canada's fighter procurement evaluation – including interoperability requirements - demonstrationg that Gripen will keep Canada connected to its partners for many years to come. How does Gripen go above and beyond in this respect? By maximizing both...
www.saab.com
Depends if rational thought and common sense prevail or something else is the motivator of their decision making process.
So training will be in Moose Jaw at 15 Wing. Sweet.Saab says it will work with Canadian company CAE on a domestic training, flight simulation and support program if Ottawa decides to buy its Gripen jets.Pilot training will happen in Canada if Ottawa buys Gripen jets, Saab says - National | Globalnews.ca
The Swedish jet maker has been trying to convince the Canadian government to buy some of its Gripen E fighters for the country's new fleet.
In a media statement, the companies say the deal would mean critical operational and mission systems information would stay in Canada under Canadian control.
While allies that fly the same physical jet purchased from America as the F-35, they cannot independently alter the F-35's central computer code. The core operating software and sensor fusion data remain controlled by the US and only the U.S. The physical airframe, radar-absorbent coatings, and internal sensors are fundamentally identical to frontline US jets. All F-35s rely on the global sustainment system, meaning operating countries ultimately depend on the US to authorize and supply replacement parts.U.S. ambassador calls F-35s ‘phenomenal success’ as Canada considers Swedish fighter jets
Pete Hoekstra invoked the longstanding bilateral defence partnership between Canada and the United States on Wednesday, as Canada considers diversifying its fighter jet fleet procurement.www.ctvnews.ca
The F-35 uses unmatched sensor fusion combining all onboard and allied data into a comprehensive battlefield picture. It maxes out at roughly Mach 1.6 with an internal weapons payload. High maintenance demands with low mission-capable rates historically hovering around 36% to 50%. The cost per flight hour is roughly $30,000 to $40,000 USD.
The Lockheed Martin F-35 and Saab Gripen E/F represent two distinct military philosophies. The F-35 is a multi-role stealth fighter designed to penetrate heavily defended airspace as an intelligence and sensor hub. The Gripen is a highly agile, lower-cost "scrambler" designed for sovereign national defense, austere environments, and high-tempo readiness.
The Griffin E/F’a rely on powerful electronic warfare systems (like the Arexis suite), speed, and IRST (Infrared Search and Track) to detect and jam enemy platforms. While highly capable, it lacks the radar-evading shape of the F-35. Significantly more affordable, with a cost per flight hour of about $10,000 USD and documented readiness/availability rates often exceeding 70% to 80%.
Engineered to operate from short, dispersed road strips and can be maintained by small, conscript-level ground crews. It offers full national data control, allowing countries (such as Brazil with the F-program) total independence over software and upgrades. Integrates the long-range Meteor missile and features a unique mechanically rotating AESA radar that enables "offset tactics" (firing and turning away while still guiding the missile). It is lighter, faster, and can reach Mach 2.
(YouTube & They Said Sweden’s Gripen Was a Toy — Then It Humiliated the F-35)
Modern stealth fighters require specialized maintenance and US-made replacement components. By refusing to supply critical parts or withholding software/maintenance support, the US can effectively ground a foreign F-35 fleet within a short timeframe.
(YouTube & US Threatened Canada's Sovereignty Over Fighter Jets)
Beyond threats, America incentivizes Canada to participate in the F-35 program through guaranteed industrial contracts and superior continental defense interoperability. Canada's aerospace sector is deeply integrated into the F-35 supply chain, with companies nationwide securing work on the global fleet.
If Canada can integrate F-35’s & Saab Griffins into its Fleet, and NATO can integrate them into their Fleet, then NORAD surely could also.Saab CAE MOU - Gripen for Canada Press Release
Saab and CAE today announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to deliver advanced fighter pilot training, mission systems engineering, and support sustainment capabilities in Canada if the Government of Canada should add Gripen E to the Royal Canadian Air Force's future fighter...
Interoperability
Saab's offer has now passed all aspects of Canada's fighter procurement evaluation – including interoperability requirements - demonstrationg that Gripen will keep Canada connected to its partners for many years to come. How does Gripen go above and beyond in this respect? By maximizing both...
(YouTube & The Gripen: Sweden's Fighter Jet Masterpiece)
Depends if rational thought and common sense prevail or something else is the motivator of their decision making process.
(YouTube & F-35 vs. Gripen: Why a Mixed Fleet Makes Sense for Canada)
