Gripen International, In a clear commitment to the future of Gripen, Sweden’s Defence Material Administration (FMV) has placed a SEK 3.9 billion ($US 600 million) contract on Saab.
The contract is placed to commence the upgrading of 31 Swedish Air Force Gripen’s to the very latest C/D standard, and has also given the go ahead for the demonstrator programme for the future development of Gripen.
The agreement signed today follows the decision taken by the Swedish government earlier this year, based on a proposal by the Supreme Commander of the Swedish Armed Forces. FMV has now contracted Saab to undertake the upgrade of 31 of the Swedish Air Forces A/B standard of the Gripen, to the very latest C/D standard of the new generation fighter, now being delivered to export customers.
A uniform Gripen fleet with greater functionality
This programme will ensure that the Swedish Air Force remains at the leading edge of operational capability, with a uniform Gripen fleet with greater functionality and improved cost effectiveness and enhancing its ability to contribute to international peace support operations worldwide.
“The order is a clear sign that Sweden believes in Gripen’s future”, says Saab’s CEO Åke Svensson. “This upgrade ensures Gripen production until 2012 and the Demonstrator programme gives the opportunity to show Gripen’s strong development capabilities”.
Includes the development of a new Gripen test flying platform
The contract also includes an order for the Gripen demonstrator programme. The demonstrator programme includes the development of a new Gripen test flying platform – Gripen Demo – and a Gripen avionics rig. Gripen Demo will include new features such as a new engine with increased thrust, an AESA radar, increased range, new landing gear, increased weapons and stores capabilities and enhanced avionics structures.
The programme is driven by the future needs of current and potential customers, and incorporates state-of-the-art technology that will keep Gripen at the leading edge well into the future. This programme complements and enhances Gripen’s ongoing technology insertion programme with the highly successful Gripen C/D version now being delivered to customers worldwide.
World-leading aerospace companies invests
Investment in the demonstrator programme is being made by Saab and its international industrial partners, as well as potential future customers. In April 2007, Norway signed a Letter of Agreement regarding the future development of Gripen, valued at around US$ 25 million. General Electric together with Volvo, Honeywell, Rockwell Collins, APPH, Martin-Baker and Terma are just some of the world-leading aerospace companies that together with Saab, which has already invested some SEK 1 billion (US$ 155 million), are jointly investing in the Gripen demonstrator programme.
“The demonstrator programme gives Gripen a long term value and takes the system into the future. It is gratifying that such big players share our convictions about Gripen’s capability and future potential”, says Åke Svensson.
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