Canada's fighter choice depends on mission

Should Canada choose the F-35 or the Saab Gripen?

Gripen is a strong choice for domestic air defence, while the F-35 becomes more useful if Canada also wants the broader strike capability.

The fighter comparison depends on the missions Canada intends to fly. One interpretation of Canadian policy assigns international presence mainly to the navy while other forces concentrate on domestic defence. Gripen is favoured for that narrower air-defence requirement, with a possible weather advantage over Eurofighter. The F-35's wider strike capability would matter if Canada chose that mission as well. A hypothetical Irish purchase of Gripen provides a second example of matching an aircraft to domestic air defence.