According to the article "Saab, EADS Offer Stealth Designs For South Korea's KFX" published in the October 29th issue of Aviation Week & Space Technology, Saab has offered at least two options descended from its Gripen. Each option uses the Gripen canard-delta platform and has internal weapon stowage to reduce the radar cross-section.
As if to confirm Saab's interest in the KFX, Air Force Colonel Daeyeol Lee, head of the Air System Development Team at the Agency for Defense Development of South Korea, mentioned at a conference held in Seoul on October 16th that Saab wishes to take part in the joint development of the KFX and also wants to have at least 10% of work share in return for the investment of up to 30% of the total cost.
Has there ever been an aerospace company that 'invested' its own money in a foreign country's fighter project? If so, why?
Furthermore, is there any chance of the Swedish government formally backing Saab, by committing itself to buy some new manned-fighters that will come out of the KFX project for the Swedish air force after 2020 or earlier?
Only four companies - Saab, EADS, Lockheed Martin and Boeing - have submitted proposals for the KFX and I guess Saab is most desperate to win this to keep its manned-fighter business afloat after the Gripen.
I am sceptical about the prospect of a de facto joint fighter development between Sweden and South Korea, but there are some hopeful speculations in Korean discussion boards already. So I would like to have third-party views, especially from Swedish posters.
Thanks in advance,
Sunho
As if to confirm Saab's interest in the KFX, Air Force Colonel Daeyeol Lee, head of the Air System Development Team at the Agency for Defense Development of South Korea, mentioned at a conference held in Seoul on October 16th that Saab wishes to take part in the joint development of the KFX and also wants to have at least 10% of work share in return for the investment of up to 30% of the total cost.
Has there ever been an aerospace company that 'invested' its own money in a foreign country's fighter project? If so, why?
Furthermore, is there any chance of the Swedish government formally backing Saab, by committing itself to buy some new manned-fighters that will come out of the KFX project for the Swedish air force after 2020 or earlier?
Only four companies - Saab, EADS, Lockheed Martin and Boeing - have submitted proposals for the KFX and I guess Saab is most desperate to win this to keep its manned-fighter business afloat after the Gripen.
I am sceptical about the prospect of a de facto joint fighter development between Sweden and South Korea, but there are some hopeful speculations in Korean discussion boards already. So I would like to have third-party views, especially from Swedish posters.
Thanks in advance,
Sunho