Friday, November 07, 2008

Saab Proposes JAS-39 Gripen Sale to Swiss Air Force

Saab Proposes JAS-39 Gripen Sale to Swiss Air Force (NSI News Source Info) November 7, 2008: Swedish aerospace/defence firm Saab announced on the 2nd July that it had provided Switzerland with a proposal to possibly sell combat jets to the Swiss Air Force. "Switzerland has a need to replace its fighter aircraft [Northrop] F-5E/F Tiger II and [Saab’s JAS-39] Gripen is one of three potential suppliers", Saab stated, adding: "The exact number of required aircraft has not been disclosed." At the end of June, the official publication for the Swedish government wrote that Switzerland could acquire as many as 33 Gripens, adding that permission had been sought at governmental level for an offer to be made. Saab stated, additionally, that agreements had been drawn up between it and Pilatus [Swiss aircraft firm]/ Rheinmetall Schweiz AG in association with the potential sale. "The agreement between Saab and Pilatus regards future cooperation in the aviation area and is the result of discussions initiated as part of industrial cooperation activities in the event Switzerland should decide to buy Gripen fighter aircraft to replace its F-5E/F Tiger”, the Swedish firm said. Gripen Operators The JAS-39 Gripen is operated by the air forces of South Africa, Hungary and the Czech Republic, as well as Sweden, with the total order book currently standing at 236. It is one of six types in contention to win a highly-coveted Indian Air Force contract for 126 new combat aircraft. Potential Gripen Orders Additionally, it emerged earlier this year that Saab is offering the Gripen to Norway as a replacement for the Royal Norwegian Air Force’s F-16s. In this latter capacity, it is up against the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter (JSF). Meanwhile, India is in the process of comparing it to five other types – the French Rafale, the Russian Mig 35, the Eurofighter Typhoon and the US-built F/A18E/F Super Hornet, as well as the F-16.

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