Gripen is Canada's only real alternative | Letters to the Editor

Advertisement 1 This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Breadcrumb Trail Links HomeOpinionLetters Gripen is Canada's only real alternative | Letters to the Editor Letters to the editor of the Ottawa Citizen for Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2026 Author of the article: By Citizen letters Published Sep 22, 2026 Last updated 1 hour ago 5 minute read Join the conversation Two Swedish Air Force Saab JAS 39 Gripen fighter jets fly in formation after taking on fuel from a British Voyager aircraft during air-to-air refuelling on June 16, 2026. PHOTO BY LEON NEAL /Getty Images Article content Gripen is Canada’s only real alternative Article content Re: RCAF still tight-lipped over F-35 photo Article content Article content Although the F-35 may be a technological marvel, the RCAF senior staff must get off the U.S./Lockheed bandwagon and follow the Canadian government’s policies and directions. Canada should immediately accept the Saab offer and have an all-Gripen fleet with the Rolls-Royce EJ-230 engine, and no F-35s. Article content Article content Any further delay in accepting Saab’s offer just kicks the can down the road and extends the capability gap in Canada’s fighter capability. Article content It is time that Canada rejected the Trump administration’s threats, demands, lies and bully tactics and put Canada’s jobs, industries and capabilities as well as our independence and sovereignty first. Article content The last time Canada caved to U.S. pressure and did not support our future aerospace capabilities was in 1959, when the Avro Arrow was cancelled. Article content J.A. Summerfield, Winchester Article content Kettle Island bridge would be net positive for Ottawa Article content The nimbyism surrounding the proposal for a new bridge at Kettle Island is astounding. The construction and completion of this bridge is a long time coming, with many downtown deaths left in its wake. The neighbourhood will not change in any substantial way and should a few people find it annoying they can always move. The net result will be positive for the city. Article content The attitude of the residents and their councillor should in no way deflect the governments in doing the right thing. Perhaps while we’re at it we could solve the ByWard/downtown drug and homelessness problem by closing all the shelters and building a real home for these people on all that land out by the Canadian Aviation and Space Museum. Article content Article…