A few days before the federal budget was tabled, the CEO of Swedish industrial giant Saab flew to Ottawa to meet with the country's top bureaucrat, fuelling the sense a deal is brewing between the Canadian government and the military manufacturer.

Sources said the fact that Michael Sabia, the clerk of the Privy Council, made room in his tight agenda on Oct. 31 to meet with Micael Johansson highlights Canada's interest in acquiring European military equipment, as well as beefing up its domestic production capacity.

Even clearer signals are expected when Swedish King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia lead a business and political delegation to Canada between Nov. 18 and 20. The state visit will include Sweden’s deputy prime minister, Ebba Busch, and its defence minister, Pål Jonson, in addi

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