Potential and future operators Saab JAS 39 Gripen

1 potential , future operators

1.1 botswana
1.2 brazil
1.3 bulgaria
1.4 colombia
1.5 croatia
1.6 finland
1.7 india
1.8 indonesia
1.9 philippines
1.10 poland
1.11 slovakia
1.12 switzerland
1.13 others

potential , future operators
botswana

botswana has shown interest in gripen leading saab opening office in botswana in 2014. country interested in purchasing 8 surplus c , d model gripens, order possibly being extended 16. gripens replace fourteen ex-canadian air force cf-5 fighters botswana defence force air wing (bdf) has been using since 1996, 40 years old.

bdf air wing top officials believe acquisition of fighter jet done deal. whether 8 or twelve or sixteen, bdf looking replace fighter jet fleet.

brazil

replica of brazilian version of gripen ng cockpit

in october 2008, brazil selected 3 finalists f-x2 fighter programme: dassault rafale b/c, boeing f/a-18e/f super hornet, , jas 39e/f gripen ng. brazilian air force planned procure @ least 36 , possibly 120 later, replace northrop f‐5em , dassault mirage 2000c aircraft. in february 2009, saab submitted tender 36 gripen ngs. on 5 january 2010, reports claimed brazilian air force s final evaluation report placed gripen ahead of other contenders; decisive factor reportedly lower unit cost , operational costs. amid delays due financial constraints, there reports in 2010 of rafale s selection, , in 2011 of f/a-18 s selection. on 18 december 2013, president dilma rousseff announced gripen ng s selection.

key decision factors domestic manufacturing opportunities, participation in developing gripen, , potential exports africa, asia , latin america; argentina , ecuador interested in procuring gripens or through brazil, , mexico considered export target. factor distrust of due nsa surveillance scandal. gripen not immune foreign pressure: uk may use 30% component percentage in gripen veto sale argentina due falkland islands dispute; argentina considering russian or chinese aircraft instead. until gripen e deliveries begin, brazil intended lease several gripen c aircraft.

on 24 october 2014, brazil , sweden signed 39.3 billion sek (us$5.44 bn, r$13 bn) contract 28 gripen e , 8 gripen f aircraft delivered 2019 2024 , maintained until 2050; swedish government provide subsidized 25-year, 2.19% interest rate loan purchase. @ least 15 aircraft assembled in brazil, , brazilian companies involved in full production run; gripen fs delivered later. us$1 billion price increase since selection due developments requested brazil, such wide area display (wad), panoramic 19 8 inches touchscreen display. compensation package set @ us$9 billion, or 1.7 times order value. 2 brazilian pilots trained in sweden between november 2014 , april 2015. brazilian air force has requirement 108 gripens, delivered in 3 batches. brazilian navy interested in sea gripen replace douglas a-4ku skyhawk carrier-based fighters. in 2015, brazil , sweden finalized deal development of gripen f, designated f-39 brazil.

bulgaria

after bulgarian air force expressed interest in gripen, gerdzhikov caretaker cabinet announced on 26 april 2017 state commission chose swedish fighter future combat aircraft type military of bulgaria. bulgarian officers planned initial batch numbering 8 aircraft 1.5 billion bgn (ca. 745 million euro), delivered in 2018–20 timeframe, planned follow-up batch of 8 aircraft. other contestants in tender used usaf f-16a/bs refurbished , modernised mlu standart portuguese ogma (like similar deal bulgaria s northern neighbor romania) , used italian tranche 1 eurofighter typhoons, us/portuguese offer finishing second , italian offer third.

the interdisciplinary state commission includes officials bulgarian ministries of defence, economy , finance and, according caretaker government s deputy prime minister , minister of defence stefan yanev, main reason choosing swedish contestant favourable financial terms offered saab, including lease option , offset agreements. in words, swedish offer accounts 1 billion bgn aircraft alone ($834 million), while us/portuguese 1 accounts price of 1 , half billion bgn aircraft alone. decision pending approval of next regular bulgarian government and, more importantly, of bulgarian parliament. second-place offer retained back-up option, should negotiations saab not concluded successfully, financial resources program budgeted until end of 2017. new fighters replace both mig-29 fighters of graf ignatievo air base , su-25 attack aircraft of bezmer air base, fill gap left retirement of country s dedicated su-22 reconnaissance airplanes.

colombia

saab has offered gripen c/d or e colombia, possible deliveries during 2018–21, depending on variant selected.

croatia

a gripen deal including 12 aircraft (10 single-seat c-models, , 2 two-seat d-models) valued @ 700 million euro (us$1.1 billion) first offered croatia in 2007. however, procurement stalled due 2008 financial crisis, in croatian government had reprioritise government spending programmes.

on 24 october 2015, sweden announced bid of jas 39 gripen c/d croatia s fighter replacement requirement, following request information croatian ministry of defence in june between 8 , 12 newly built aircraft replace croatian fleet of ageing mig-21bis aircraft. according ministry of defence s long-term development plan (ltdp), however, mig-21 remain in service until 2024 result of ongoing modernisation programmes. ltdp run 2015 2024 , scheduled have funding available replacement aircraft in 2019. second-hand f-16s country may considered.

on 20 november 2017, 2 major newspapers reported jas 39 gripen ms 20 compete against israeli f-16 barak in 2017 final tender new croatian multirole fighter. gripen competed against new f-16 block 70/72, f-16 barak israel, greek f-16 , korean fa-50. saab announced opening new inovation center in croatia purpose of developing science park, software center , research program related aviation , high-tech engineering - week before government s decision. sweden said has nothing croatian choice new mutlirole fighter, announced before bafo (best , final offer) croatia. saab s ceo håkan buskhe said goal creating jobs 200 300 croatian engineers develop software , computer systems, cybersecurity links , technical publications related defense, aviation, telecommunications, transportation , mobility.

finland

in june 2015, working group set finnish mod proposed starting program replace finnish air force s current fleet of f/a-18 hornets. group recognises 5 potential types: boeing f/a-18e/f super hornet, dassault rafale, eurofighter typhoon, lockheed martin f-35, , saab jas gripen.

in december 2015 finnish mod sent letter great britain, france, sweden , informing them fighter project had been launched in defence forces. goal of project replace hornet fleet, decommissioned of 2025, multi-role fighters. project has been named hx fighter program. jas-39 mentioned in letter potential fighter program. request information concerning hx fighter program sent in april 2016. 5 responses received in november 2016. official request quotation sent 5 aircraft manufacturers provided responses rfi, through 4 governments, in spring of 2018. goal start fighter candidates’ environmental testing in finland in 2019. buying decision scheduled take place in 2021.

india

saab gripen @ aero india 2011, yelahanka air force base bangalore

the gripen contender indian mrca competition 126 multirole combat aircraft. in april 2008, gripen international offered next generation gripen india s tender , opened office in new delhi support efforts in indian market. on 4 february 2009, saab announced had partnered india s tata group develop new gripen variant fit india s needs.

the indian air force (iaf) conducted extensive field trials , evaluated gripen s flight performance, logistics capability, weapons systems, advanced sensors , weapons firing. in april 2011, iaf rejected gripen s bid in favour of eurofighter typhoon , dassault rafale. senior indian air force officials, while happy improved capabilities of gripen ng, identified high reliance on us-supplied hardware, including electronics, weaponry , ge f414 engine, factor may hamper ability exported.

in 2015 after rafale order cut 36 aircraft, saab indicated willingness set joint production of gripen in india. in october 2016, reported saab, among other manufacturers, had been sent informal request-for-information query, resuming new competition single-engine fighter replace indian air force s soviet-built mig-21 , mig-27 aircraft. saab had submitted unsolicited bid .

in november 2017, saab pledged full gripen-e technology transfer india if s awarded contract.

indonesia

in july 2016, saab indonesia confirmed having submitted proposal earlier in year in response indonesian air force requirement. proposal included initial acquisition of 16 gripen c/d 1,5 billion usd, replace northrop f-5e tiger ii in service indonesian air force since 1980s. saab have expressed intention bid 100% comply indonesia s defence industry law 2012 (or, law number 16), requires foreign contractors work local industry, collaborating on production , sharing technology. indicated bid replace versions c/d version e, if indonesia willing accept longer delivery time. competing aircraft responding requirement include f-16v, su-35, rafale , typhoon.

philippines

in september 2016, saab announced intention open office in manila support campaign sell gripen fill philippine air force s requirement 12 mulitrole combat aircraft. saab intends offer ground infrastructure, integrated c2 systems , datalinks, similar capabilities offered royal thai air force.

poland

poland planning purchase 64 multirole combat aircraft 2021 part of country s modernisation plans. new fighters replace polish air force s ageing fleet of sukhoi su-22m4 fitter-k ground attack aircraft , mikoyan mig-29 fulcrum-a fighter aircraft. planned open tender procedure include jas 39 gripen e/f, lockheed martin f-35 lightning ii, newest variants of eurofighter typhoon , dassault rafale, , boeing f/a-18h/i advanced super hornet.

slovakia

on 30 august 2014, czech republic, slovakia , sweden signed letter of intent agreeing co-operate on using gripen, may lead acquisition of aircraft slovak air force. letter of intent laid foundation bilateral co-operation around common airspace surveillance of slovakia , czech republic. slovakia looking replace mig-29 fighters , gripen has been reported aircraft of choice, although requirement go open competition. may seek lease fighters rather buy, did neighbouring hungary , czech republic.

switzerland

in january 2008, swiss defence material administration invited gripen international submit bids replace nation s ageing f-5 fleet. saab responded initial proposal on 2 july 2008; other contenders dassault rafale , eurofighter typhoon. on 30 november 2011, swiss government announced decision buy 22 gripen ng aircraft 3.1 billion swiss francs. in 2012, confidential report of swiss air force s 2009 tests of 3 contenders leaked, had rated gripen performing substantially below both rafale , eurofighter. gripen assessed satisfactory reconnaissance unsatisfactory combat air patrol , strike missions. jas 39c/d evaluated, while gripen ng had been bid. parliamentary security commission found gripen offered risks, voted go ahead cheapest option. gripen considered satisfactory in roles.

on 25 august 2012, plan order confirmed both swedish , swiss authorities. deliveries expected run 2018 2021 @ fixed price of chf 3.126 billion (us$3.27 billion) including development costs, mission planning systems, initial spares , support, training, , certification; swedish government guaranteed price, performance , operational suitability. 8 jas 39cs , 3 jas 39ds leased 2016 2020 train swiss pilots , allow f-5s retired. in 2013, saab moved increase swiss industry offsets above 100% of deal value after swiss parliament s upper house voted down deal s financing. on 27 august 2013, national council s security commission approved purchase, followed lower , upper houses of parliament s approval in september 2013. elements of left , center of political spectrum criticized gripen unnecessary , expensive. on 18 may 2014, 53.4% of swiss voters voted against plan in national referendum. according press, objectors questioned role of fighter aircraft in general, , relevance of alternatives such uavs, surface-to-air missiles, or cyberwarfare capabilities.

in april 2015, switzerland set relaunch f-5e/f, , f/a-18c/d, replacement programme; gripen again considered favourite.

others

other nations have expressed interest in gripen include argentina (e/f versions brazil, subject uk veto), austria (c/d or e/f versions), belgium (e/f; sweden declined), canada, ecuador (c/d, or e/f brazil), estonia, kenya (c/d), latvia, lithuania, malaysia (c/d), mexico (c/d, or e/f brazil), namibia (c/d), peru (c/d, or e/f brazil), portugal (c/d), serbia, slovenia, uruguay (c/d, or e/f brazil) , vietnam.

saab s head of exports eddy de la motte has stated gripen s chances have improved nations waver in commitments f-35. richard aboulafia of teal group (an aerospace & defense analysis enterprise) has attributed difficulty securing export sales swedish government s inability offer same sort of strategic partnership rival aircraft manufacturing nations. in september 2013, saab s ceo håkan buskhe said envisioned gripen sales reach 400 or 450 aircraft.