Nov 13 (Reuters) - Swedish defense company Saab

is in talks with the Canadian government and

Bombardier to build its Gripen fighter jet under

license in Canada, which is expected to create 10,000 jobs in

the country, CEO Micael Johansson told the Globe and Mail on

Thursday.

Sweden's King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia will visit

Canada from November 18 to 20, during which talks are expected

to continue, according to the report.

"We can confirm that discussions about Gripen are occurring

and that Bombardier is open to engage in providing local

expertise for the program if the Government of Canada decides to

go this route," Bombardier said in an emailed statement.

The development comes as Sweden and Ukraine are making

progress on financing for a major deal that could include Kyiv

buying up to 150 Gripen E fighter jets, Sweden's defense

minister told Reuters earlier this month.