Saab signs deal with Canadian AI firm Cohere on Global Eye jets

A replica of the Saab Gripen combat aircraft is seen at the Asian Defense and Security Exhibition on Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2024 in Manila, Philippines. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)

OTTAWA — Swedish defence contractor Saab has signed an agreement with Canadian artificial intelligence company Cohere to explore partnering on its Global Eye surveillance aircraft.

Saab is vying to convince Canada to purchase the Global Eye, an early warning radar aircraft that it is jointly producing with Canadian aerospace manufacturer Bombardier.

Saab says its agreement with Cohere is directly connected to its efforts to sell Canada the Global Eye, but the agreement extends to international Global Eye operations as well.

Cohere also has teamed up with both German submarine manufacturer TKMS and South Korean firm Hanwha Oceans — both of which are bidding on a contract to supply the Royal Canadian Navy with its next fleet of submarines.

Saab has been the subject of political intrigue for more than a year now as the federal Liberal government has reviewed its planned purchase of 88 F-35 fighter jets from the American firm Lockheed Martin.

Saab’s Gripen fighter jet was the runner-up in Canada’s future fighter procurement competition and Saab has said it can assemble the jets in Canada.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 23, 2026.

The Canadian Press