Gripen News Thread

[czr]

I have fallen in love with this fighter, I hope to see more countries adapt this jet. Is it true that Pakistan inquired about purchasing Gripen fighters but was rejected?

[signatory]

I have fallen in love with this fighter, I hope to see more countries adapt this jet. Is it true that Pakistan inquired about purchasing Gripen fighters but was rejected?

Yea in 2004... it was made clear they would be rejected so the talks didn't go as far as to request a export license. First the number was 40 jets then later they talked about 60.

PAF trying to induct 60 Gripen jets into fleet
By Mayed Ali
LAHORE: Through a deal thought to cost around Rs 156.6 billion,
the Pakistan Airforce (PAF) is trying to induct 60 state-of-the-art
jetfighters, Gripen (JAS-39), with the manufacturers, Gripen
International - the conglomeration of Saab AB and BAE Systems.

These air-superiority combat aircrafts, come at a price-tag of
$45 million (Rs 2.61 billion), and are considered the best
overall bet in that category. The final delivery of planes to
PAF, is expected within three years. The PAF and Saab Scania
have already negotiated the deal. However, a final agreement
between the Pakistan government and Gripen International is
expected to be signed in a month or so, as the Saab AB awaits
a green signal from the Swedish Government. President Pervez
Musharraf's visit to Sweden has assumed even greater significance
against this backdrop. It is believed that the fate of the
agreement will be decided if President Musharraf succeeds in
convincing the Swedish and British governments to give a go-ahead
nod to Gripen International. Pakistan also intends to purchase
Airborne Early Warning planes, Argus, from Saab Scania as well.

[signatory]

On the 14th of August the second batch of Hungarian pilots arrived at Skaraborg Wing.

These five pilots will now go through the conversion-training program at Skaraborg Wing, F7 Såtenäs.

http://www.f7.mil.se/index.php?lang=E&c=news&id=33482

[signatory]

Gripens help German pilot who lost connection with Ruzyne

Vlasim/Caslav- Two Jas-39 Gripen fighters from the Caslav air base today took off from the airport to provide emergency aid to a a Boeing 737 of the German Hamburg Airlines that headed from Slovakia to Berlin, base spokeswoman Magdalena Dvorakova said.

The aircraft lost radio connection with the ground control at the Prague-Ruzyne airport. The Gripens that are temporarily grounded in Pardubice, east Bohemia, due to the repair works at the Caslav base, took off from the local airport at 12:57 p.m. After eight minutes they detected the lost aircraft at the 12-km height and established contact with it on the emergency frequency.

The pilot of the German plane confirmed that it was the only possible connection.

The military pilots thus became mediators between the German pilot and Czech air traffic controllers. The pilot heard their commands but was unable to react due to the radio defect. The German plane did not deviate from the route and the fighters accompanied it up to the German border. They returned to Pardubice at 13:58.

Gripens from Caslav took off for their first live operation last August when they helped a Turkish plane that lost radio connection with the ground control while flying over Czech territory.

They then accompanied the transport aircraft on the Istanbul-Hamburg route over Germany where it was taken over by the local aviation. Since that time Czech military pilots have received 11 signals for similar starts.

http://www.ceskenoviny.cz/news/index_view.php?id=204935

[Resurrection]

Good to hear!

[signatory]

On popular demand I built these action radius maps for the Gripen jet, based on 1999 SwAF Air charts. The text on the pics explain more. It's for 39A the difference with 39C is most significantly the ability to carry more load in the mission area.

Also worth knowing is hot refueling on the ground take only 5 minutes (8 min if external tanks is to be filled) and is done with the engine running so in 5 minutes the jet will double its action radius. If weapons need to be changed/mounted add another 5-10 minutes.

The Aerial refueling probe is of course an option too.


Europe

Thailand

[czr]

That's very interesting, so each circle represents the approximate distance the Gripen can travel without refuel, but shows other friendly airfields where a pilot could land and gear up to travel further if need be?

[Storstark]

It is just made up starting locations (probably to show potential buyers the effective range). The circles illustrates how far the aircraft can fly before it's has to go back for refueling.

[signatory]

storstark is correct... it's real bases on those dots, but still just examples of combat range.

[Skyman]

Thailand

Even I know Gripen for a long time. I'm a bit surprise that she can operate over the whole Malaysian's land if we place Gripen in south.

In next 5 or 10 years, Royal Thai Navy also have a plan to establish the attack squadon. It's required 8 fighter. If we choose Gripen as a next RTAF's fighter, there will be a possibility that RTN would choose Gripen also. (Base on the policy that encorage all forces to use the same hardware like we did with Black Hawk)

[signatory]

Even I know Gripen for a long time. I'm a bit surprise that she can operate over the whole Malaysian's land if we place Gripen in south.

Well except Malaysian Borneo Also remember it's possible to launch cruise missiles such as Taurus KEPD 350 which has a range of 350 km but unfortunately I don't know how long the jet can travel before dropping this load. But it does add to strike range if this is in the inventory.

In next 5 or 10 years, Royal Thai Navy also have a plan to establish the attack squadon. It's required 8 fighter. If we choose Gripen as a next RTAF's fighter, there will be a possibility that RTN would choose Gripen also. (Base on the policy that encorage all forces to use the same hardware like we did with Black Hawk)

Interesting news, thanks.

[Skyman]

Oh again. Do you have any news and results form Red Flag? (Is it classify?)

[signatory]

@ Skyman Not much info no, in the photo section there's a photo diary.

Gripen responds to Bulgarian fighter requirements

During a presentation at the Bulgarian Ministry of Defense Gripen International has submitted a comprehensive answer to a formal Request for Information regarding the new generation Gripen multi-role fighter.

2006-08-23 | The presentation was made on August 22 by a team from Sweden including representatives from the Swedish Government, Swedish Defense and Swedish Industry.


Image: The Swedish team in front of the Bulgarian Ministry of Defence.

The Bulgarian Ministry of Defense has been presented a complete and extensive package including 16 new generation Gripen C/D aircraft (12 single and 4 two-seater) with full support and training provided in cooperation with the Swedish Armed Forces. The flexible package outlines several options regarding financial solutions. The first aircraft could be delivered already two years after a contract has been signed.

The aircraft proposed are fully NATO compatible Gripen C/D multi role fighters prepared to carry an extensive range of armaments from Europe, the US or other countries. Equipped with an in flight refueling system, a fully autonomous Tactical Information Data Link System (TIDLS) and a NATO standard Link 16 the Gripen C/D is well suited for meeting all national defence requirements as well as being able to participate in NATO operations.

Bulgarian Deputy Minister of Defence is discussion with Bob Kemp and Daniel Boestad from Gripen International and Major General Staffan Näsström from the Swedish Ministry of Defence.

Gripen International has in this presentation fully committed to deliver 100 % offset, backed by its parent company Saab AB and a wide range of other multinational companies. This industrial cooperation with the Bulgarian Government and with Bulgarian companies will in the case of a Gripen procurement generate new business and employment in the defense as well as in other business sectors in Bulgaria. The industrial cooperation together with a range of optional flexible financing solutions which are fully supported by the Swedish Government are tailored to make a minimal impact on the Bulgarian national budget

Since this spring Saab International and Gripen International has an office in the Bulgarian capital of Sofia and from September first Ms. Krasimira Stoyanova will work as Marketing Manager in Bulgaria.

[Luno]

Edit moving picture to Gripen photo thread

[signatory]

Gripen boost for Bulgaria's auto industry in case of fighter jet deal

Co-operation in the auto industry is one of the offset options proposed by Sweden's Gripen International in case it is picked to procure new fighter jets to the Bulgarian air force.

In response to a request for price and availability information, Gripen presented to the Bulgarian defence ministry on August 22 a complete and extensive package including 16 new generation Gripen C/D aircraft (12 single and 4 two-seater) with full support and training provided in cooperation with the Swedish Armed Forces.

The flexible package outlines several options regarding financial solutions. The first aircraft could be delivered as soon as 2 years after the signing of the contract, the Swedish company said on its website.

The aircraft proposed are fully NATO compatible Gripen C/D multi role fighters prepared to carry an extensive range of armaments from Europe, the U.S. or other countries, said Gripen.

Requests for price and availability information were also sent out to Boeing, Lockheed Martin, France's Rafeal and Eurofighter, co-owned by Alenia Aeronautica, BAE Systems and EADS.Boeing was the first vendor to respond, offing 3 options for the supply of F/A-18E/F Super Hornets to the Bulgarian air force. Rafael response was received on Wednesday. The Eurofighter presentation was expected on Thursday.

Gripen International said in its presentation it was fully committed to deliver 100 % offset, backed by its parent company Saab AB and a wide range of other multinational companies. This industrial cooperation with the Bulgarian Government and with Bulgarian companies will in the case of a Gripen procurement generate new business and employment in the defence as well as in other business sectors in Bulgaria.

The jet procurement procedure is the most expensive upgrade project of the Bulgarian armed forces estimated at over $1 bln.(Dnevnik)