Apr 18, 2026 | Posted by Abdul-Rahman Oladimeji
Saab is offering a sovereign data center deployment to the Canadian military as part of a package tied to its fighter jet proposal. As reported by CBC News, the Swedish defense company is hoping that the inclusion of a data center—designed to keep sensitive data outside the control of US firms—will strengthen Canada’s case for adopting its Gripen-E fighter jets and reduce reliance on US-made F-35 aircraft, which store data at a Lockheed Martin facility in Fort Worth, Texas.
Saab has described the data center as a "unique advantage" and would purpose-build the facility to host "all work on the fighter mission system."
"Gripen data will also be housed here, securely within Canadian borders," Saab spokesperson Sierra Fullerton said. "With the fighter mission system, communications, and technical data all hosted in Canada, Gripen exceeds all industrial, security, and controlled goods requirements. With Gripen, the Royal Canadian Air Force will have full, independent control over aircraft, software, and sensitive data."
The data center would be staffed by Canadian personnel with security clearance, and its location in Canada—along with its non-US ownership—would mean it would not fall under the US Cloud Act, which allows US authorities to compel access to data held by US companies. Lockheed Martin has rejected concerns over data sovereignty related to its fighter jets. Chauncey McIntosh, vice president and general manager of the F-35 program, said: “As part of our government contracts, we deliver all system infrastructure and data required for all F-35 customers to operate and sustain their aircraft independently and according to their sovereign requirements and operational needs.”
