Mate,I am not a military expert like you
I am far away from being an expert and am only saying, that one has to differ between Soviet Union and Russia...
- military in Soviet Union and military in Russia
- defence budget in Soviet Union and defence budget in Russia
- defence development in Soviet Union and defence development in Russia
- defence export in Soviet Union and defence export in Russia
And then you see the difference between the military Superpower Soviet Union and the military power Russia, that might still have the numbers on paper, but can't afford to maintain, develop or even produce arms in the same manner like in the past.
You can even take Indian procurements as an example, we bought an Akula SSN, that was half build, because the Russians didn't had the money to complete it. We bought a carrier that was not repaired, because the Russians didn't had the money to repair and operate it and so on.
Politically we are on the same page, since I said that the US is the only current Superpower, but wrt defence again, China is becoming the next big thing and that's what's making everybody so nervous, be it Japan, US, India or even Russia.
Not sure that SAAB is for sale.
It isn't, that was just a hypothetical scenario
The Gripen E (AKA Gripen NG) will not use a Swedish Engine, even if such engines are available.
I never said it would, only that the current Gripen has a the RM12 and therefor Sweden has the engine know how, that could had been useful for India / the Kaveri development in a partnership.
As for money, it is just a matter of priority...
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...Slovakia seems to be the next customer for maybe a dozen. Most likely lease of Gripen C/Ds.
As I said, Sweden can't afford to operate such a large fleet and that's why Gripen C/Ds are desperately offered for 2 nd hand sales or leasing contracts (just as they were offered to India too).