Interesting qoute from that article (translated into English by me):Originally Posted by sirlongfellow
Right now a new test plane is being prepared, which, according to Buskhe, is one ton lighter, will have a new engine, new flight control system and new avionics.
Agent Mulder, are we talking little green-of-envy fr... ..men here?
Well whoever it may be, I hope the swiss will follow those "leaks" up very carefully until they arrive at some entity that, hopefully, will stand with its proverbial pants down for everyone to see. Doing business by organizing political FUD campaigns in foreign countries is lower than Glocalnet.
Last edited by jol; 05-25-2012 at 05:51 PM. Reason: spelling
Article continued @ Defense NewsPhone Bugged During Swiss Fighter Deal Talks: Saab CEO
May. 25, 2012 - 11:30AM | By AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
STOCKHOLM — The head of Swedish defense group Saab said May 25 that his cellphone was bugged repeatedly during negotiations with Switzerland over Saab’s sale of 22 Gripen fighter jets.
“I am closely watched and I know that my cellphone has been bugged on several occasions. Text messages have also been sent from my cellphone, in both Swedish and English, on various occasions and to various contacts,” Saab chief executive Haakan Buskhe told Sweden’s Svenska Dagbladet in an interview.
it would be funny if he, with the knowledge of being bugged, spread disinformation about the deal.
http://www.defense-aerospace.com/art...-industry.htmlSweden's SAAB invests in Brazils Aerospace defence industry
RIO DE JANEIRO --- Sweden's premier defense and security company - Saab - is strengthening its relationship with a Brazilian company involved in aero-structures.
Saab, manufacturer of the Gripen jet fighter that has partnered in the past with the company Akaer, said it is now financially investing in the company, local media reported.The Gripen fighter jet flown by six countries and Saab wants to add Brazil to its list.
The investment is equivalent to a 15% stake in Akaer, whose advisory board will now include the Swedish company.
"Akaer and Saab share aero-structural synergies and together we can meet the demands in aero-structures assemblies to the aerospace industry. I am certain our partnership will guarantee both quality and long-term business," said Cesar da Silva, Akaer's chief executive officer.
Akaer is an engineering company that specialises in the development of aero-structures and management of turnkey aerospace and defense projects.
In 2009, Saab contracted it to design components for its Gripen fighter, a lightweight, single-engine fighter jet flown by six countries. Akaer's work on the Gripen focused on the aircraft's rear fuselage, mid- fuselage and wing, including main landing gear doors.
Engineers from Akaer were sent to Sweden for on-the-job training. In 2010, Akaer facilities in Brazil were prepared and certified for work related to the Gripen.
Saab said its investment in Akaer is an important step toward further future design, development and production of the fighter in Brazil as well as enhancing Saab's participation in various Brazilian aerospace and defense programs.
"Brazil is an important and growing market for Saab, and with this growing partnership with Brazilian industry, Saab can together deliver key next generation technical and military capabilities providing for national autonomy in future design, development and operation," said Saab Senior Vice President Dan Jangblad.
"Our cooperation will also be strengthened by meeting technical and commercial objectives from the Gripen NG project related to current work packages", he added.
Although Saab will be part of Akaer's advisory board, Akaer said it will remain an independent entity. It will continue to be controlled and managed by its founder and current management team. Akaer has been in operation since 1992.
Brazil is considering a next-generation fighter for its armed forces and Saab is pushing the Gripen.
As part of its expanding footprint in the country and region, it recently strengthened its partnership with AEL Sistemas for development, production and logistical support of Gripen avionics.
It has also started an online collaboration venture with the Swedish Brazilian Innovation & Research Center to help prepare proposals for Brazilian government projects.
Ensuring logistics support for military aircraft
Bangkok Post
Published:30/05/2012
Thailand's defence capability has been boosted significantly with the recent purchase of the JAS 39 Gripen military fighter jet from Saab of Sweden. This small, agile aircraft can take off and land on highways, while carrying the latest technologies and weaponry, providing a potent deterrent in times of peace and a highly effective air combat capability in times of conflict.
The purchase terms call for a total of 18 Gripen fighters to be delivered in three batches of six each. Six aircraft are already in service with pilots and technical staff trained. The Gripen is powered by the US-made GE F404 engine, with which Thailand already has experience supporting. The second delivery phase, scheduled to run through the end of 2013, also includes a significant logistics support package comprising equipment, spare parts and training.
Read the whole article here:
http://www.bangkokpost.com/business/...itary-aircraft
Gripen Sees Brazilian Fighter Decision Soon
Full story: http://www.aviationweek.com/Article....-01-463804.xmlLINKOPING, Sweden — After years of delay, Gripen International believes Brazil is nearly ready to make a decision in its fighter competition, in which the company’s single-engine fighter is in competition against the Boeing F/A-18E/F and Dassault Rafale.
“We get the feeling it is the endgame,” notes Eddy de La Motte, vice president for marketing for Gripen International, the joint venture of Saab and BAE Systems that markets the Swedish fighter to export customers.
Saab could deliver the first Gripen E/F (also called the NG) fighter four years after contract award, but it is still unclear if that is the schedule Brasilia will insist on or whether it will join the combined Swiss/Swedish Gripen E/F development schedule, which would see the first fighter handed over in 2018.
The first Gripen E/F prototype is due to fly late next year if the Swiss and Swedish governments can agree on the development path forward. The effort would likely require some Saab funding too.
Meanwhile, the Selex Galileo Raven ES-05 active, electronically scanned array radar is to fly on the Gripen NG demonstrator soon, during which time the cockpit displays and sensor will be put through their paces.
The Swedish government has an offer on the table to potential export buyers to accelerate its purchase if another country wants the Gripen E/F early, but does not want to be the lead buyer. That offer remains on the table, de La Motte says.
A win in Brazil could open the door to other fighter deals in South America, adds Frederik Gustafson, regional director for Gripen exports in the Americas. “There is a huge need for new fighters in the region and the economies are growing,” he tells reporters on the sidelines of Aerospace Forum Sweden 2012. There are more than a handful of countries that are looking to buy in the next five years, he adds.
But that is not the only region where the manufacturer is working to meet its target of selling 300 fighters over the next decade. In Thailand, where it has already sold 12 Gripens (six are delivered and six will follow next year), it hopes for additional deals. Malaysia, the Philippines, Indonesia and, “in a couple of years,” Vietnam may be opportunities, de La Motte says.
http://www.defpro.com/news/details/3...443d0f15688e94Based at Sigonella on Sicily, the Swedish detachment of eight Gripen fighters, eight pilots and 35 ground crew generated 30 per cent of the Allied coalition’s Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) imagery during the campaign, flying 574 sorties over Libya and making 2271 reconnaissance reports to the Combined Air Operations Centre (CAOC) on the Italian mainland.
Imagery from the Gripen’s SPK 39 recce pod was downloaded, analysed and distributed within 2 hours after landing. As yet the pod does not have a datalink capability for its 25-megapixel photos, but that is coming. Einerth says that it would be ideal in future to have the imagery analysts near to the user at the CAOC, and a broadband datalink would make this possible. Well-trained imagery analysts are still vital in this day and age.
Study by a practiced eye of infrared images of Gadaffi’s oil storage facilities showed the rise and fall of petroleum supplies during the conflict, allowing the coalition to judge the level of activity of Libyan government forces.Despite the multiple sources of ISR data from satellites through UAVs and long-range patrol aircraft, fighter aircraft bring many advantages such as speed, self defence capability and flexibility, particularly in a non-permissive environment, Lt Col Einerth stressed to the forum.
He feels comfortable with the choice of Gripen
Google translated from: http://www.corren.se/ostergotland/li...6-artikel.aspx (with minor corrections)
.The head of the Swiss Air Force, Lieutenant General Markus Gygax, anticipates that there will be a yes in a referendum on the Gripen. He expects the first Gripen will be delivered already in 2018.
When the Swiss government last November announced that it wants to buy 22 Gripen fighters for the corresponding 22 billion champagne corks popped at Saab in Linköping.
A better Christmas present could the aircraft builders in Tannefors hardly have hoped for.
Since then a lot has happened. Not least, Saab has been subjected to a smear campaign in the Swiss media and the main competitor, French Dassault, has lowered the price of the Rafale.
The Swiss air force chief, however, gave a clear signal when he was yesterday, during a visit to the Aerospace Forum in Malmslätt, responded to Correns questions:
- I feel confident with the decision made by the Government, says Markus Gygax.
Two steps
Two steps remain before the deal with Switzerland is completed. In May or June next year, Parliament will vote on the defense budget. If there is a yes to procure new fighter jets, everything indicates that there will be a referendum in 2014.
- Since the Berlin Wall, we have had half a dozen referendums concerning our defense. We have won all referendums, including those related to the purchase of the F-18 (U.S. warplanes). It is easy to imagine that a senior military are worried about a referendum. Markus Gygax does not seem to be the anxious type. In fact, he welcomes a referendum.
- If the people can vote and say yes to us in the future must have a defense, its over with the discussion. Then all of Switzerland will accept the decision. That's how it works in a direct democracy.
"When we get angry"
According to the latest leak to the Swiss newspaper, representatives of the Air Force believe that the Gripen is a "blunt" compared with the two competitors, the Rafale and Eurofighter. Air Force Chief is concerned that the public will have incorrect information for the referendum.
- Every time Switzerland buy a new weapon system, it could be about tanks and airplanes are very expensive, debate breaks out. It's very interesting for the media to report on arms deals.
But the ongoing debate an issue for the defense line?
- There is a problem of public misinformation. When we get angry.
Are you angry?
- No, not really.
The same version
Markus Gygax, who himself is a former fighter pilot, revealed on Friday that although Switzerland Air Force has decided to bet on the same version of the Gripen as the Swedish Air Force. It is about the so-called E / F version with longer range than current versions.
- We will order the exact same version as the Swedish Air Force. We have discussed the needs of our two air forces and has concluded that there are no differences. It is such a complete aircraft.
If the Swiss people will vote yes in 2014 said it may take until 2018 before Saab will deliver the first plane. Then roll it on quickly:
- Saab is able to manufacture an aircraft a month. This means that it takes two years to get 22 aircraft. The last aircraft will be delivered in 2020.
The decision to procure 22 fighter aircraft stands. According to the Air Force chief, it is about 16 single-seater and six two-seater planes.
- For the Swiss, it is difficult to know what is the difference between a Gripen and Rafale or Eurofighter. This is not just about the airplane to buy but also what it costs to maintain the plan for up to 40 years. It is very important. The price difference between the plan is big, really big
Last edited by Loke2; 06-02-2012 at 09:03 AM.
"six-seater plane"
I think they buried the lead there!
Six two-seater planes it says."six-seater plane"
I think they buried the lead there!
It does now.
Not technically news but thought I'd share some of what I managed to photograph during the Swedish Air force 100th year celebration air show in Linköping.
Saab 2000 Swordfish MPA
Gripen NG Demo
Gripens on static display
Gripen NG Demo
Gripens from the Thai, Hungarian, South African and Swedish Air forces, ETPS and SAAB
New Saab/Selex Raven ES-05 AESA Radar with the Skyward-G infrared search and track on static display
Skyward-G IRST on static display
At Saabs Gripen corner. "C'est la vie, Dassault"?
Stealth nose at the Volvo AERO display
Gripen Diamond formation
Saab historic flight
http://www.defpro.com/news/details/3...ed4b6cadb36574GMT, June 4, 2012 Brigadier General Jiri Verner, commander of the Air Force of the Czech Republic outlined how he was able to achieve a great deal for a small country following reorganization of the ex-Eastern Bloc air arm into a leaner force equipped with modern fighter aircraft, numerous helicopters mostly used for army support and a small transport fleet.
Key to Czech air defence is the fleet of 14 JAS 39 Gripen fighters, backed-up by 24 Czech-built L-159 ALCA advanced light combat aircraft. The Gripens are used exclusively for air defence while the ALCAs also do ground attack, forward air control (FAC) training and conversion training.
“It is a big mistake of some of our politicians and decision makers to call the L-159 a better L-39. I say it is more of a worse F-16,” said BGen Verner. With many common systems, the L-159 to Gripen conversion is “short and cheap and easy” he added.
A highlight of recent Czech air operations was undertaking the Baltic Air Policing mission from Siauliai air base in Lithuania in 2009. In addition to maintaining quick reaction alert at home, the Czech AF supplied four Gripens, supported by 75 personnel. The four-month rotation cost €1.6 million and saw eight real life intercepts of uncommunicative aircraft. Showing a slide of a Russian Air Force Il-38 ‘May’ ELINT aircraft shadowed by a Gripen, Brig Gen Verner described “The Aerof lot aircraft with special antennas, looking like a hedgehog”.
The Gripens were followed by a Luftwaffe Typhoon detachment with 200 personnel. “Only the Turks had more,” Verner added.
The Czech AF will return in August 2012 for another air policing stint.
The Czech AF is particularly proud of the Silver Tiger award won at the first NATO Tiger Meet exercise they attended with the Gripen in 2009.
“I consider that the trophy means we are fully accepted as a NATO member and I would love to keep that going after 2015 [when the current Gripen lease agreement is due to expire] and that our politicians make an excellent decision for the future.”
South African Airforce pilot makes an awesome take off in a Gripen at "Flygdag Linköping" 2012-06-02
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AfCDA...feature=relmfu
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