Swedish FMV awards Saab SEK2 billion to further develop the Gripen fighter

08:34 GMT, March 11, 2010 Defence and security company Saab recently received an order from the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (Försvarets materielverk, FMV) for the development of the existing Gripen fleet of the Swedish Air Force. The order value amounts to SEK 2 billion ($280 million, €205 million) for Saab, split over a period of four years.

The capability of the Gripen C/D fighter aircraft is continuously subject to adjustment and upgrading in order that it can operate and remain effective and advanced also in the future. The order includes further adjustments for increased operational effect, like for instance upgraded countermeasure and communication systems. The order also includes other measures to further reduce the operating costs, based on experience gathered from more than 130,000 flight hours.

Also included is integration of new weapons, and the existing radar is gaining an increased range along with new functions. Improvements are also being introduced to reduce the noise and emissions from test runs during engine maintenance. Work will mainly take place at Saab’s plants in Linköping, Gothenburg, Järfälla, Kista and Arboga.

The JAS 39 Gripen lightweight multi-role fighter aircraft is one of Europe’s currently most successful combat aircraft, operated by a number of air forces throughout the world, including Sweden, South Africa, Hungary, and the Czech Republic. Furthermore, Thailand has placed an initial fix order for six JAS 39EBS Gripen which are scheduled to be delivered in 2011. Furthermore, different air forces have expressed their interest in purchasing the aircraft.

The Gripen NG is currently competing against US-, European- and Russian-built aircraft in India’s MMRCA race, is a finalist for Brazil’s F-X2 programme (see http://www.defpro.com/news/details/10235/) and is being considered by Switzerland to replace the country’s ageing F-5s.

(The official press release has been adapted and supplemented by defpro.com)