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BREAKING: Swiss selection makes Saab Gripen an export 'ace' Switzerland has reportedly made the first move to become the fifth country outside Sweden to acquire the Saab Gripen fighter. If export sales were dogfight kills, the Gripen would now be an ace. [Update: Counting the Gripen sale to the UK Empire Test Pilot School, Switzerland is actually the sixth export customer. The foreign air force operators are the Czech Republic, Hungary, South Africa and Thailand.] The news is still based on unnamed sources within the federal council, but the reports from both Swiss and French media (including the Dassault-owned Le...

RPT-Swiss opt for Saab's Gripen fighter jets - paper (Repeats to additional subscribers) ZURICH Nov 30 (Reuters) - Switzerland has chosen to replace its fighter jet fleet with Swedish defence and aerospace group Saab's JAS-39 Gripen, Swiss newspaper Tagesanzeiger reported on Wednesday, citing unnamed sources close to the government. Neutral Switzerland has wrangled for the past three years over whether to replace its ageing Northrop F-5E/F Tiger fighters, purchased in 1976 and 1981, with up to 33 new aircraft. Saab shares were up 8.5 percent to 117.10 Swedish crowns by 1345 GMT after the newspaper report. The newspaper said the...

Czech fighter contract as Gripen deal runs down Fighter manufacturers are preparing to battle for the right to provide the planes that should protect Czech airspace after 2015 © ČESK� POZICE A fight between the Gripen JAS-39 and F-16 to patrol Czech airspace looks on the cards The clock is ticking down to the expiry of the 2015 contract under which JAS-39 Gripen supersonic jet fighters hired from the Swedish government to protect Czech skies. And while the date might still seem a long way off, speculation has been mounting about whether a deal for the Gripen planes will be...

Saab fighter jet guns for orders By Jorn Madslien Business reporter, BBC News, Linkoping, Sweden The noise is earsplitting as the Gripen fighter jet takes off from a small airstrip on the outskirts of a small Swedish town, only to disappear amidst the clouds. The jet is manufactured by Saab, a brand commonly associated with a struggling carmaker, though this is not the same one. The fast-growing aerospace and defence group that shares the Saab name is not only quicker. It is also much more successful and important - both for Sweden and for the company itself. Investing for Sweden...

Saab Prepares for UK Expansion Global defence and security company, Saab AB will open new UK headquarters and draw on British engineering expertise in a new Saab Design Centre in London. With 200 employees already based throughout the UK, Saab is preparing to expand its reach into the British defence industry by opening a central London office to co-ordinate all in-country operations. The opening of the company’s new UK headquarters will be followed by the opening of an engineering design centre. The facility will capitalise on the UK’s maritime jet engineering expertise and is scheduled to open in the late...

GE Brings Good Things To Hornet, Gripen Posted by Bill Sweetman at 4/21/2011 7:53 AM CDT If the Pentagon leadership is successful in its goal of shutting dwon the Joint Strike Fighter's F136 alternate engine program (and may I add that if they brought such zeal and sense of purpose to bear on other issues, the world might be a better place, but I digress) there will be an important consequence: the JSF program will acquire a new and powerful enemy, in the form of General Electric. Evidence of this trend may be coming to light. At yesterday's roll-out of...

No cash for SA air force to fly Gripens Apr 13, 2011 The air force cannot afford to put its new Gripen jet fighters into flight for the required number of hours, Lieutenant General Carlo Gagiano conceded on Wednesday. "No, we are not going to fly the required number of hours," the air force chief told a media briefing in Cape Town ahead of Defence Minister Lindiwe Sisulu's budget vote in the National Assembly. "But the hours that we will fly will ensure that the people and the aircraft are safe and that we do the correct training." Gagiano said...

Swedish jets make first combat mission in 50 yrs Thu Apr 7, 2011 8:03pm GMT STOCKHOLM, April 7 (Reuters) - Swedish warplanes operating from Sicily took part in NATO's operations against Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi on Thursday, the first combat sortie by the Nordic country's air force since the early 1960s. A Swedish military spokesman said the aircraft had carried out a mission lasting about 40 minutes, according to plan, and had returned safely to their base in southern Italy. He would not provide any further information due to NATO regulations. The last time Sweden flew combat missions was in...

US fuel stops Gripen Libya mission The Swedish JAS Gripen aircraft deployed in Sicily as part of NATO's Libya mission remained grounded on Thursday as the fuel available is suitable only for US navy aircraft. The eight fighter jets are located in the US part of the Sigonella airbase on Sicily and the only fuel available it that which is used for US navy aircraft. The Gripen were due to participate in their first mission over Libya on Thursday but this has now been delayed and test flights have been postponed. According to the outline plan, the eight aircraft were...

Sweden plans to join Libya no-fly zone with fighter jets, but no ground attacks By The Associated Press – 1 hour ago STOCKHOLM — Sweden plans to send up to eight fighter jets to help enforce the U.N.-mandated no-fly zone over Libya after receiving a request for assistance from NATO, the prime minister said Tuesday. Fredrik Reinfeldt, who leads Sweden's centre-right coalition government, said the JAS 39 Gripen planes cannot be used for attacking ground targets. The Swedish offer also includes a transport plane and 130 personnel and will be made available for three months, Reinfeldt told lawmakers. The proposal...

Gripen passes 150 000 flight hour - Volvo Aero's engine is the world's safest 16:53 GMT, March 22, 2011 Gripen aircraft have now flown a total of over 150 000 flight hours. It is noteworthy that not a single Gripen aircraft has suffered an engine-related failure or serious incident during these 150 000 hours. This is unique among the world’s Air Forces. Saab’s test team has kept a close eye on every flight hour that the Gripen has made since its maiden flight. Similar monitoring has been carried out by the Swedish Air Force and Gripen customers in Hungary, the...

Swedish Gripen fighters on Libya standby The Swedish military said Monday that they would be ready to deploy Jas Gripen fighter aircraft within ten days, should Sweden be asked to participate in the military action against Libya. “The armed forces have informed the government that we are able to deploy six to eight aircraft. At the moment they are on a ten day standby, so it wouldn’t take longer than that,” Therese Fagerstedt of the Swedish Armed Forces information department told news agency TT. Where the aircraft would be stationed and how much ground crew would be needed is yet...

Pilots itching to fly latest Gripens, seen as a new force in the region Published on February 23, 2011 After a long wait for the much-heralded Swedish-made Gripen jet fighters to be commissioned, Royal Thai Air Force pilots are now itching to fly the new aircraft that will replace vintage F-5 fighters. The Gripen, with the designated code of JAS-39 C/D, has technological advantages 30 years ahead of even the US-made F-16 fighters, the newest aircraft in the RTAF, according to Wing Cmdr Natthawut Duangsoongnern. One of six pilots who underwent the basic flight course on the Gripen, Natthawut said:...

European fighters lead MMRCA race Ajai Shukla Yelahanka/ Bangalore February 10, 2011, It was a no-holds-barred duel at Aero India 2011 for a $10-billion (Rs 45,500 crore) prize. Turn by turn, four of the world’s most advanced fighter aircraft roared into the sky, keenly aware of the watching eyes of Indian ministry of defence (MoD) officials who would decide which of them was best suited for the Indian Air Force’s order of 126 medium multi-role combat aircraft (MMRCA). Their performances mirrored each fighter’s fortunes in the MMRCA race. In multiple interviews with MoD officials, IAF pilots and vendor representatives, Business...

At a press briefing on the eve of Aero India 2011 here in Bangalore, Saab which is pitching the Gripen fighter jet for the USD 11 billion Air Force Multi-Role Combat Aircraft competition promised Swedish Ministry of Defence official Mr. Hakan Jevrell promised true and full technology transfer. Mr Hakan Jevrell, representing the Swedish government, focused his message on full support, long term co-operation, full and true technology transfer, zero-corruption and high levels of integrity. In addition to Mr. Hakan Jevrell, the press briefing featured Mr. Hakan Bushke, CEO of Saab and Mr. Inderjit Sial who is the country head...

Bulgaria asks Sweden for info on Gripen fighter Published: 3 Feb 11 Bulgaria's defence ministry said Wednesday it had requested information from Sweden on the potential supply of Gripen fighter jets for its air force. Information had also been requested from France, Germany and tyhe United States over the possible purchase of new of used fighters. The letters, sent in January, requested from the four countries "information on their capabilities for logistical support, equipment, training, financial schemes, exploitation period, etc," the ministry said in a statement. "The request concerns the purchase of eight new or used multifunctional fighters," it added....

Reevaluation of Brazil’s FX-2 Fighter Program Could Help Saab January 21, 2011 tamir_eshel Brazilian new President Dilma Rousseff is apparently pushing back the decision on the acquisition of the new fighter aircraft for Brazil’s Air Force sometime to 2012. Local reports are citing reduced government expenditure as the reason for the delay. While the Rafale produced by France’s Dassault Aviation SA, was though to be the forerunner of Brazil’s FX-2 program, favored by former president Lola and the government the Swedish Gripen NG was though to be more affordable at 10 billion reals (US$6 billion) and having better export potential...

Win a Gripen flight at Aero India January 11, 2011 By Saurabh Joshi If you’ve ever dreamed about really, well and truly satisfying your need for speed, here’s your shot. Swedish defense company Saab has launched a contest that offers a grand prize of a flight on its Gripen NG fighter aircraft at Aero India in Bangalore next month. All you have to do is go to Gripen Top Guns, click on the Facebook Connect button and enter your login details. Joanna Sjölander, Director of Gripen in India, says, “Someone in India with a life long dream will be flying...

First prize for Gripen in Aviation Week photo competition Jamie Hunter won the 2010 Aviation Week Photo Contest Military Category with one of his Saab Gripen photographs taken in August during a visit to Linkoping. With this photo Jamie Hunter won the 2010 Aviation Week Photo Contest Military Category. 2010-12-27 | Jamie said: 'We had a very small window of opportunity to shoot the Gripen NG Demo in formation with a JAS 39D and so it had to planned very carefully. The weather in the area around Linkoping was quite bad with heavy rain and low clouds - but luckily...

Gripen purchase by Brazil 'unlikely': analysts The likelihood that Brazil will purchase Swedish-made Saab Gripen fighter jets to modernise its air force diminished significantly following recent comments by the outgoing Brazilian president, analysts believe Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said late on Monday that he will not make a decision on a multi-billion-dollar jet fighter purchase before stepping down on January 1, state media reported. Lula told official television station TV Brasil that it would be up to the government of his successor, Dilma Rousseff, to decide the issue. "It's a very big debt, it's a long-term debt...

)--Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva will leave the decision on a multi-billion dollar jet fighter contract to his successor, Dilma Rousseff, who will take over as president Jan. 1. Brazil is looking to buy 36 fighter jets as part of the modernization of its armed forces, a contract which is believed to be worth between $4 billion and $10 billion. The deal has been postponed several times and it now looks that it won't be finalized while Mr. da Silva is in power. Mr. da Silva has expressed a preference for buying the Rafale jets manufactured by France's...

Fighter jet manufacturers pitch planes to Parliament By BRYN WEESE, Parliamentary Bureau Last Updated: December 7, 2010 OTTAWA — The makers of two different fighter jets Canada is not buying made their sales pitches anyway to Parliament's defence committee Tuesday. Representatives from the German-based Eurofighter Typhoon and Sweden's Saab Gripen appeared at committee and told members their planes can meet Canada's air force demands, and are far cheaper than the fifth-generation F-35 Joint Strike Fighter stealth jet the government agreed to buy in July. Canada intends to buy 65 F-35s for $9 billion — plus maintenance costs — to replace...

WikiLeaks, Weaklings And Weasels Posted by Bill Sweetman at 12/3/2010 10:37 AM CST WikiLeaks cables show that US officials recommended delaying export approvals for a new Raytheon radar in order to undercut the Saab Gripen NG's chances in Norway, before the country's December 2008 decision to acquire the Joint Strike Fighter. The cables were originally reported (and linked) by Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet. The original Norwegian decision surprised and puzzled observers, both because of its tough repudiation of the Gripen and because of the $52 million quoted price of the JSF - which was a reach in 2008 and now appears...

Sweden 'tricked' in failed Norway Gripen bid Sweden was deceived by both the United States and Norway regarding the latter’s interest in signing a multi-billion kronor deal to buy Sweden's JAS Gripen fighter plane. Citing US diplomatic cables recently released by WikiLeaks, the Aftonbladet newspaper reports that Norway’s supposed interest in the Gripen was just a show. Norway ultimately decided to purchase the US-made Joint Strike Fighter/F-35 combat aircraft in a deal reportedly worth 55 billion kronor ($7.9 billion). At the time, Norway's choice of the American plane over the Gripen angered a former Saab executive. "We are really surprised...

Rivals Target JSF By Bill Sweetman London With the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) program likely to be hit by further delays on top of the 13-month slip in development announced in February, competitors are beginning to see hope for the future despite tight budgets worldwide. The JSF program office canceled an appearance at Defense IQÂ’s October fighter conference here. People talking about other programs, though, were no longer shy about benchmarking their favorite jets against the ambitious U.S.-led project, now five years behind its original schedule with a sixth in the offing. Another conference theme was a broader definition of...

Thailand signs for more Gripen fighters, anti-ship missiles By Craig Hoyle Thailand has signed a planned follow-on order for Saab-produced fighter and surveillance aircraft and added anti-ship missiles to its air force's future inventory. A new agreement covering the supply of six more Gripen Cs and a second Saab 340-based airborne early warning and control system aircraft was secured in Stockholm on 23 November. It was signed by Royal Thai Air Force commander in chief Air Chief Marshal Itthaporn Subhawong and Gunnar Holmgren, director general of Sweden's Defence Materiel Administration (FMV). © Peter Liander/Gripen International Thailand has previously ordered six...

, Sweden: Defence and security company Saab has received an order from FMV, the Swedish Defence Material Administration, for the delivery of 3-dimensional (3D) models to the Swedish Gripen simulators. The 3D-models will give the simulators a highly realistic visualisation model. The 3D-models will be generated by the system Rapid 3D Mapping based on aerial images, developed by Saab. “This is an important milestone that proves that 3D-models generated by our new product Rapid 3D Mapping can be used with excellent results for visualisation in simulators”, says Ulf Hellberg, Head of Business Development within Saab’s business area Dynamics

Brazil likely to chose Dassault's Rafale over Saab's Gripen, media says Posted on: Mon, 08 Nov 2010 11:12:02 EST Symbols: BA, SAABF Nov 08, 2010 (NORDIC BUSINESS REPORT via COMTEX) -- 8 November 2010 - Brazil's president, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, will probably not award a deal for 36 fighter jets to Swedish group Saab AB (STO: SAAB B), but will prefer French Dassault Aviation (EPA: AM), Brazilian newspaper Valor Economico reported without naming any sources. Dassault's Rafale will reportedly be the president's first choice in the tender, beating Saab's Jas 39 Gripen, according to Valor Economico. US player...

The U.K.’s decision to drastically alter its fast-jet fleet plans introduces new uncertainties into the global fighter market. In a two-pronged move, London is trimming its buy of Lockheed Martin F-35 Joint Strike Fighters and changing course on the model. Financial pressures are also triggering angst beyond the U.K. Lt. Col. Rickard Nystrom, head of aircraft programs at the Swedish armed forces headquarters, says it is “a pretty stressful environment [here] right now.” With various big-ticket spending items looming in the next decade, there is renewed debate over plans for a 100-aircraft Gripen fleet. The timing and scope of the...

More fuel under the wings of Gripen NG 21 September 2010, in News The Gripen NG Demo is now flying with new extra large drop-tanks. Instead of the more traditional 300 gallon tanks used by Gripen C/D these new external tanks can carry 450 gallons of fuel each. Image: The new drop-tanks are here seen in a combination with IRIS-T, Meteor and Paveway. Photo credit: Stefan Kalm. Longer range Combined with added spaces for internal fuel and a more fuel efficient engine Gripen NG will get substantially longer range and more time on station. The new drop-tanks are made by...

Arens: Israeli fighter-jet with a non-U.S. partner is 'worth a try' TEL AVIV — Israel has been urged to consider developing its own fighter-jet with an international partner. Former Israeli Defense Minister Moshe Arens said the Jewish state would have a partner in any project to develop and produce a fighter jet independent of the United States. Arens, who served three times as defense minister, cited France, India and Russia. "Are there such candidates?" Arens asked. "In theory, yes. France, with a great aeronautical industry, chose not to participate in the [U.S.-led] F-35 project. India, with a considerable aeronautical capability...

South Africa: U.S. 'Smart' Bombs for Gripen Aircraft Julius Baumann 23 July 2010 Johannesburg — THE Department of Defence has awarded US aerospace group Raytheon a contract to supply Paveway 2 laser-guided air-to-ground bombs for the South African Air Force's (SAAF) Gripen aircraft. This marks the first major sale of US defence equipment to SA in more than 25 years. The US group will provide the air force with laser-guided bomb kits that transform dumb bombs into precision- guided munitions for operational tests and evaluations on the new Gripen fighter fleet. The new bombs are due for delivery next year....

Saab is waiting on the outcome of the Brazilian air force's F-X2 fighter contest, but still believes it has the best product, says chief executive Ake Svensson. "I think it is up to president Lula [Luiiz Ignacio Lula da Silva] to decide which way he wants to go. But Gripen was number one in the air force evaluation, and we believe we are strongly competitive on price and industrial opportunities." Svensson says Saab's domestic support places its Gripen NG in a strong position for requirements in Brazil, India and numerous other countries around the world. "The Swedish government has clearly...

The first of four Royal Thai Air Force Gripen pilots and technicians are undergoing training in Sweden to allow Squadron 701 of the 7th Wing to go operational next year. Thailand is initially buying six Gripens, with a plan to grow that to 12 aircraft. Further purchases are possible, but will have to await the first operational experiences with the fighter in Thailand, says Wing Cdr. Jackkrit Thammavichai, who will be the first squadron commander. However, he says, “I foresee no problem” in making the case for more aircraft. Four pilots are now in Sweden to undergo training as instructor...

Gripen NG Demonstrator will be displayed to the public for the first time outside Sweden. The event will take place in the UK during the Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT) in Fairford 17–18 July and the following week at the Farnborough International Airshow. The fighter will be arriving in Farnborough on Monday, 19 July and will be on static display until Friday 23 July. Gripen NG Demonstrator is a flying platform for the development of new technologies and features incorporated into the Gripen NG – the next generation fighter with significantly increased combat range and endurance, increased payload and super-cruise...

The air force commander insists the purchase of Swedish-made Gripen combat aircraft is necessary to replace older fighter planes. He also assures transparency in the purchasing process. Air Force Commander-in-Chief Air Chief Marshal Itthaporn Subhawong countered Matichon newspaper's claim that the Royal Thai Air Force is spending much more on Gripen aircraft than its Romanian counterparts. He stated that the purchase of Gripen jet fighters is necessary to replace the older F-5s, which are slated for retirement in 2011. He urged the public to see this as a military affair and not to compare it with other countries since different...

Sweden Will Buy New Gripen Jul 14, 2010 By Bill Sweetman One question for Saab’s Gripen Next Generation (NG) project has always been: Why should export customers buy an aircraft when its home customer has not committed to it? In discussions in June at Saab’s Linkoping, Sweden, headquarters, it became apparent that the NG is firmly in national defense plans, but a formal announcement is being delayed for domestic reasons. “Sweden has committed to using the Gripen beyond 2040,” says Hans Rosen, head of Gripen marketing and campaigns. “The question is when to acquire the Gripen NG, and how many.”...

Sweden Will Buy New Gripen Jul 14, 2010 By Bill Sweetman One question for Saab’s Gripen Next Generation (NG) project has always been: Why should export customers buy an aircraft when its home customer has not committed to it? In discussions in June at Saab’s Linkoping, Sweden, headquarters, it became apparent that the NG is firmly in national defense plans, but a formal announcement is being delayed for domestic reasons. “Sweden has committed to using the Gripen beyond 2040,” says Hans Rosen, head of Gripen marketing and campaigns. “The question is when to acquire the Gripen NG, and how many.”...

FARNBOROUGH: Saab plots bright future for Gripen programme By Bartosz Glowacki A lot has happened since Saab rolled out its Gripen NG demonstrator in April 2008. Although the Swedish manufacturer has not secured a new order for its fighter product since this time, flight-testing is proceeding well, and it has also added another member to the family in the Sea Gripen concept. NEW WEAPONS The first phase of Gripen NG flight-testing started in May 2008 and totalled 79 sorties. A maximum speed of over Mach 1.6 was demonstrated, along with "supercruise" capability at more than M1.2, says Hans Rosén, head...

A South African Air Force Saab Gripen D fighter is expected to perform the first live firing of an A-Darter short-range air-to-air missile later this month, advancing a joint project with Brazilian industry. Launched in April 2007 under a 66-month development and production programme co-funded by the Brazilian and South African air forces, the A-Darter is intended to arm the services' respective Northrop F-5EM/FM and future F-X2 fighters, and Gripen and BAE Systems Hawk 120 aircraft. Worth $130 million, the project involves Denel Dynamics and a group of Brazilian companies headed by Mectron. Production activities should start in 2013, with...

Political and programmatic upheaval is shifting the ground under U.S. and European combat aircraft builders as they await the outcome of competitions in Asia, Latin America and Europe. Japan is just one case in point. Boeing, Lockheed Martin and Eurofighter are awaiting the release of a request for proposals to buy a new fighter to replace its F-4EJ Phantom.However, domestic political turmoil that led to a change in government, as well as controversy over the U.S. Marine Corps base on Okinawa, has drawn attention elsewhere. As a result, the fighter contest may not begin until next year or possibly later,...

Saab waits on Brazil and India for Sea Gripen go ahead By Gareth Jennings 18 June 2010 Saab will only develop an aircraft carrier-capable version of its JAS 39 Gripen NG fighter should either India or Brazil select the land-based variant to fulfil their fighter replacement programmes, the company has said. Eddy de la Motte, Gripen campaign director for India, told reporters on 12 June that development of the aircraft has, to date, been driven by its core customer, the Swedish Air Force (SwAF). With no Swedish requirement for a navalised aircraft, it requires a customer with a carrier capability...

New Gripen Firms Up Posted by Bill Sweetman at 6/14/2010 1:05 AM CDT According to Saab executives, the decision to go ahead with the Gripen Next Generation has already been taken by the Swedish government. If Saab wins one or more of the upcoming fighter competitions - with Brazil and Switzerland among those closest to a decision date - it will affect the timing of Sweden's own deployment of the Gripen NG, already identified by the Swedish military as the JAS 39E/F. But the decision to acquire the fighter has already been taken, according to head of Gripen marketing and...

Gripen ready to protect the World Cup Gripen ready to protect the World Cup Gripen will be on the frontline, providing airspace security and protection for the planet's biggest sporting event of the year, the 2010 FIFA Soccer World Cup, being held across South Africa from 11 June - 11 July. 6/8/2010 | South Africa's growing fleet of state-of-the-art multi-role Gripen fighters will be deployed in air patrols over Pretoria, Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban, Port Elizabeth, Bloemfontein, Rustenburg, Polokwane and Nelspruit, which are hosting games. South Africa has ordered 26 Gripen fighters, comprising nine dual-seat Gripen D and 17 single-seat...

Saab Lures Bulgaria to Buy Gripen Fighter Jets Defense | April 14, 2010, Wednesday The Swedish company Saab has offered Bulgaria Gripen fighter jets at the price of second-hand US F-16 planes. Daniel Boestad, Director of Saab International for Bulgaria, has stated, as cited by Darik Radio, that the offer is favorable for Bulgaria because it saves money without compromising on quality. According to Boestad, the fighter aircraft offered by Gripen have a number of advantages compared to second-hand F-16 planes or the Russian MiG-29 planes that are currently employed by the Bulgarian Air Force such as the lower maintenance...

Air Force gives Gripen fighter a second chance Ajai Shukla / New Delhi April 03, 2010, 0:55 IST Sweden’s futuristic medium fighter, the Gripen NG, has been given a second chance in the $11 billion contest to select a Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) for the Indian Air Force (IAF). The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has asked Gripen International, which last month failed to send the Gripen NG fighter for trials in India on the dates allotted by the IAF, to send the fighter for trials in the middle of May. Business Standard had reported, on March 9, that Gripen...

Saab’s special weapon in fighter jet sales By Andrew Ward in Stockholm Published: March 29 2010 20:49 When Sweden competes with France for a big overseas business contract, there is one trump card its Gallic rival cannot match: a sitting monarch. So it was clear that Saab’s battle with Dassault for a multi-billion dollar Brazilian fighter jet order was nearing crunch time when King Carl XVI Gustaf landed in Brasilia last week to make a sales pitch to President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. Dassault’s Rafale fighter is considered favourite for the long-awaited deal, involving an initial 36 jets with...

Swedish group Saab said Thursday it was "surprised" at Romania's choice of F-16 second-hand aircraft to the detriment of its Gripen and asked authorities to submit all offers to parliament. "We are surprised at the statement indicating that the Supreme Defence Council is pursuing the old F-16s, without any offset, due to lack of financial resources,", said Richard Smith, Saab's marketing director for Romania. "Unfortunately, the Romanian armed force may end up with someone else's junk." The Supreme Council announced Wednesday it would submit to parliament its decision to purchase 24 F-16 aircraft currently used by the US air force....

All three fighter jets vying to be picked for a multi-billion-dollar contract to supply the Brazilian air force have passed a technical evaluation, news reports said Thursday. The foreign companies competing to supply Brazil's air force with 36 new fighter jets are France's Dassault with its Rafale fighter; Sweden's Saab with the Gripen NG aircraft; and US-based Boeing with the F/A-18 Super Hornet. The O Estado de Sao Paulo newspaper reported that the air force said in a report delivered to the defense ministry that all of the contenders met its specifications. It added that the decision on who would...

The Swedish Defence Ministry has awarded the domestic Saab Group a $280 million contract to upgrade the Gripen fleet of fighter aircraft operating in the Swedish Air Force. The deal, spanned for a period of four years, will enhance operational effectiveness of the fighters by upgrading countermeasures and communication systems. The entire fleet of aircraft will also be equipped with advanced weapons and new improved radar systems with increased range, Saab said. The order also includes other measures to further reduce the operating costs, based on experience gathered from more than 130,000 flight hours. Improvements are also being introduced to...