Both Switzerland and Norway shows interest in Gripen
The export opportunities for Gripen have never been better. Both Switzerland and Norway have announced their requirements for a Gripen tender.
2008 is expected to be a successful year for Gripen. Right now Gripen are involved in several purchasing processes around the world. Switzerland and Norway are the latest to show their interest in Gripen.
“There is a massive interest in Gripen right now, which confirms our strong position on the world market,” says Åke Svensson, CEO for Saab.
Switzerland has now requested a Gripen tender from Saab, who will submit their offer in the middle of this year. Switzerland is expected to make a decision during 2009. Gripen is one out of four candidates to supply fighter aircraft to replace the Swiss F-5 fighter aircraft fleet around 2013.
Norway has been running a purchasing process for a while, and has now commissioned FMV, the Swedish Defence Material Administration, to submit a binding offer for up to 48 aircraft. Also in the competition were two other fighters, the American JSF and the European Eurofighter, however, Eurofighter recently decided to withdraw from the process. Norway will make their decision regarding their new fighter aircraft fleet during spring 2009, with deliveries from 2015.
Saab has received similar requests for Gripen proposals from India and Denmark during 2007.