Saab secures SEK 2 billion Thailand deal
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).
Image: From the left is Johan Lehander, Managing Director Gripen International, Saab's CEO Åke Svensson, FMV’s Director General Gunnar Holmgren, Commander in Chief of the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) Chalit Pukbhasuk, Jan Andersson, Chief of Staff Swedish Air Force, and Dr Apichart Chinwanno, Thailand's ambassador in Sweden. Photo: Jerry Lindbergh/FMV.
2/11/2008 | The contract between the Swedish and Thai governments was signed by representatives from FMV and the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) today. Following this agreement, Saab receives an order from FMV for development as well as production for the systems. The contract value is 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.
Image: Gripen and Saab 340 with Saab Erieye radar.
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 complete system will monitor and protect Thailand’s airspace. Deliveries will be made in the beginning of 2011.
Strengthens Gripen’s position on the export market
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. Saab will be responding to the formal procurement processes in India and Switzerland in the next few months. The request for binding information from The Royal Norwegian Ministry of Defence is required to be submitted by FMV by the end of April.