Gripen submits response to Australia
GRIPEN SUBMITS RESPONSE TO AUSTRALIA Gripen International has today, February 1, submitted a response to the Australian government's Request For Information (RFI) for 'New aerospace combat capability' within its Air 6000 project. Australia issued the RFI last year, for technical information about the Gripen swing-role fighter to meet its national defense needs from 2012 and beyond. Gripen International has submitted technical information based on the supply of Gripen, the world's most capable and cost effective combat aircraft in operation today, and its future enhancements. "We are confident that with planned technology developments the Gripen is ideally suited to play a significant role in Australia's future Air Force and would fit perfectly into a network centric warfare structure interoperating with unmanned combat air vehicles", says Ian McNamee, Managing Director Gripen International. Gripen is a truly international security solution containing the latest technology from a team of major European and North American defense suppliers. Designed to meet all current and perceived threats it is a modern, capable and affordable choice that offers high performance, outstanding maneuverability and fully integrated information and weapons systems for the future air war. Gripen is ideally suited for dispersed operations from bases with minimal infrastructure and support requirements - a key requirement for operating effectively from both main operating bases and dispersed sites worldwide. Notes to editors: Gripen International is a company equally owned by Saab of Sweden and BAE SYSTEMS of the UK. Gripen is the first fourth-generation multi-role fighter in service world-wide, designed to meet the demands of all current and future threats, while at the same time meeting strict peace-time requirements for flight safety, reliability, training efficiency and low operating costs. Already in service with the Swedish Air Force, which has ordered 204 aircraft (including 28 dual-seaters), Gripen has also been ordered by the South African Air Force (28 aircraft) and Hungary has signed an agreement with the Swedish government for the lease of 14 Gripen fighters. Gripen has also recently been selected to meet the national, NATO and European defense needs of the Czech Republic, which has a requirement for 24 fighters. Gripen International has begun negotiations with the Polish government, which is looking to procure up to 60 new fighters. An offer has been submitted to the Brazilian government based on the supply of 24 new Gripen and to the Austrian government, which has a requirement for up to 30 new Gripen. Picture of the future enhanced Gripen is available on the photo gallery section on: www.gripen.com For further information, please contact Owe Wagermark, Senior Vice President Communications Gripen International Phone: +46 13 18 4014 Mobile +46 70 889 60 00 Telefax: +46 13 18 0055 John Neilson, Vice President Communications, Gripen International Phone: +44 (0) 1252 384795 Mobile:+44 (0) 7802 337704 john.neilson@baesystems.com Marie Aktö, Manager Communications, Gripen International Phone: 013-184216 Mobile: 070-989 7110 marie.akto@saab.se www.gripen.com ------------------------------------------------------------ This information was brought to you by Waymaker http://www.waymaker.net The following files are available for download: http://www.waymaker.net/bitonline/2002/02/01/20020201BIT00100/bit0002.doc http://www.waymaker.net/bitonline/2002/02/01/20020201BIT00100/bit0002.pdf