Canada, Sweden deepen aerospace ties with Arctic security in focus

Canada and Sweden have pledged to deepen cooperation across aerospace, defense, and advanced technologies. 

The joint announcement was made on August 20, 2025, by Mélanie Joly, Canada’s Minister of Industry, and Stephen Fuhr, Canada’s Secretary of State for Defense Procurement, alongside Sweden’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Energy, Business and Industry, Ebba Busch, and Defense Minister Pål Jonson. 

The ministers framed the partnership as a “strategic” alignment in the face of shifting geopolitical dynamics in Europe and the Arctic, highlighting defense industry collaboration, particularly in aerospace, as a key priority. 

Aerospace and defense in focus 

The agreement underscores opportunities for joint research, technology development, and industrial partnerships.

Joly is expected to meet with Saab during her visit to Sweden, signaling continued interest in the Swedish manufacturer despite Canada’s 2022 decision to acquire the F-35 Lightning II instead of the JAS 39 Gripen. Saab, which lost out to Lockheed Martin in Canada’s Future Fighter Capability Project, had pledged to assemble and support its Gripen E-series jets in Canada if selected.

The company has also partnered with Bombardier on GlobalEye surveillance aircraft and has expressed interest in offering it for Canada’s Airborne Early Warning and Control program. 

“Bombardier welcomes the joint announcement between Canada and Sweden to deepen aerospace, defence and industrial collaboration,” Bombardier said in a statement. “As a company with a proud legacy of innovation, we recognize international collaboration as a powerful catalyst for advancing aerospace excellence.” 

Although Ottawa has already committed funds toward an initial batch of F-35s, the whole order of 88 aircraft is under review. Rising costs, delivery delays, and trade tensions with Washington have fueled questions about whether Canada will proceed as planned. Earlier in 2025, Defense Minister Bill Blair said alternatives were being considered, echoing Saab’s earlier industrial participation offers. 

Arctic security: A strategic alignment 

Canada and Sweden emphasized Arctic security as a shared priority, noting that Canada was the first ally to ratify Sweden’s NATO accession in 2022, an enlargement that, together with Finland, reshapes the alliance’s posture in the High North. Their joint statement says the two countries have established an Arctic security dialogue to deepen coordination in the region. 

“Further strengthening our partnership is more critical than ever as we confront shared global challenges, including Russia’s ongoing war of aggression against Ukraine and the heightened competition in the Arctic,” the ministers said in a joint statement. The post Canada, Sweden deepen aerospace ties with Arctic security in focus appeared first on AeroTime.

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