Saab's Gripen in the Running for Dutch Fighter Order

[tigershark]

Saab's Gripen in the Running for Dutch Fighter Order
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
Published: 25 Aug 11:39 EDT (15:39 GMT)

STOCKHOLM - Swedish aeronautics manufacturer Saab said Aug. 25 its Gripen fighter was in the running for a Dutch order to replace its current 85 U.S. F-16s but did not disclose the value of the Swedish offer.  "Saab has today responded to the F-16 replacement questionnaire issued by the Dutch Ministry of Defense, offering 85 Gripen Next Generation to the Royal Netherlands Air Force," it said.
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"The response is an all inclusive package with 85 Gripen NG, training, spares, simulators and support at a price that meets the Dutch defense budget plans," it said.

The Gripen NG is a multi-role fighter, fulfilling the capabilities the Dutch air force specified in its request, such as combat range and endurance, weapons carriage capability, engine thrust and super cruise capability.

Gripen fighters are currently in use in the Czech Republic, Hungary, South Africa and Sweden. Thailand has meanwhile ordered six planes, and interest has been expressed in Brazil, Bulgaria, Croatia, Denmark, India, Norway, Romania and Switzerland.

Source
http://www.defensenews.com/story.php?i=3690557&c=AIR&s=TOP

[Webmaster]

Budget still stands at 7 Billion Euros as far as I know.

[Ramon]

Hello,

I had the oppertunity to fire some questions at the Gripen test
pilot and campaign Director for the Netherlands Magnus Lewis-Olsson.
If interested read the interview here.

Regards, Ramon

[Webmaster]

Gripen fans shouldn't get excited over this. Although we can expect that Gripen has probably put an excellent proposition on the table, this is not a serious competition! It's like when you have just ordered/bought a new computer or notebook, and then you find yourself looking at the ads during the weeks after, just to make sure you made the right decision and other options aren't cheaper/better. Even if they are, you probably would not return it. Worse yet, it's just to please the politicians. No wonder Eurofighter did not respond. They've given up a long time ago anyway.

[Viggen]

Im not overly excited, but its fun to read and hear about the proposition. Who know´s were this might lead, even if its looks more like a political statment.