Thailand has chosen Gripen

As a result of Thailand’s decision to purchase an integrated air surveillance system from Sweden, the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) has placed a contract with Saab valued at SEK 2 billion ($310 million).

”This further strengthens Gripen’s position on the export market. There is a great interest for Gripen today and several important export deals will be settled within the next few years. This agreement also strengthens our position within the area of airborne surveillance and advanced command and control systems,” says Saab CEO Åke Svensson.

Gripen

Image: Gripen and Saab 340 with Saab Erieye radar.

For Saab Aerostructures, who manufacture the fuselages for Gripen, the contract is good news.

“This is of course positive for us. Gripen is very important for our business and with our expertise within aerostructures we have an important role in the Gripen programme”, says Pontus Kallén, Senior Vice President and Managing Director.

The deal is also of great importance for Denel Saab Aerostructures in South Africa. The company is 20% owned by Saab and 80% owned by Denel and manufactures the rear fuselages for Gripen.


”This is good news both for the Saab group and for us at DSA. As we produce the Rear fuselage, the Main landing gear unit and Pylons we welcome this volume increase” says Bengt Savén, deputy CEO of Denel Saab Aerostructures.

The order comprises the supply of:

  • six Gripen fighters
  • one Saab 340 aircraft equipped with Saab’s radar surveillance system Erieye
  • one Saab 340 aircraft for training and transport along with associated equipment and services
  • a command and control system which will be the link between the Erieye system and the Gripen fighters

The deal demonstrates Saab’s range and capability as a supplier of a complete system as well as system integration. Moreover, the Thailand deal is extremely important for the work with potential Gripen customers. This first sale to a country in Asia also demonstrates the great interest in Gripen being shown by several countries around the world.

Back to CNB 1/2008