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FABRICE COFFRINI, AFP/Getty Images
Saab sees export potential for its Gripen fighter jet in South America, where countries are re-evaluating their military aircraft fleets.
SANTIAGO and LONDON — Saab is looking to capitalize on its major export coup of the Gripen E to Brazil last year by bringing a mock-up of the new jet to Farnborough while displaying an earlier version of the aircraft at the show.
The Swedish combat jet maker arrives at Farnborough having recently rolled out the first E variant of the plane at its Linkoping base, and with the possible acquisition of the current C version of the jet by Botswana and Slovakia in the cards, among other potential deals.
Sweden and Brazil already have purchased the much-updated E variant of the Gripen, and the aircraft -- with its AESA radar, greater range, the new Meteor air-to-air missile, and other updates -- is generating plenty of interest.
The Swedish air force is expected to declare the MBDA-developed Meteor officially operational at Farnborough this week, becoming the first nation to do so.
But while the focus is on the Gripen E and its first flight later this year, company executives at the roll-out of the E variant in May told reporters not to discount the popularity of the current C/D versions among nations that don’t need the kinds of capabilities the new jet brings to an air force.
- DEFENSE NEWS
Sweden 'In Talks' With Botswana Over Gripen C/D Fighter Jets
Saab said it is continuing to develop the C/D version in parallel with the E, incorporating technology from the new aircraft where appropriate. The D variant is the dual-seat version of the Gripen C.
A Swedish air force C version is scheduled to take part in the flying display at Farnborough.
Some of the Swedish air force jets could be up for sale when the new Gripen E starts entering service later in the decade.
The Brazilian contract for 36 Gripen Es and Fs, with possibly many more to come, is a potential game changer for the combat jet in world markets.
Some of those Brazilian aircraft will be assembled on a local Embraer production line as part of a wide-ranging technology-transfer agreement which is part of the Gripen-E deal.
Nowhere is the interest in the Gripen higher than in South America, where the Brazilian sale could open the door to several possible deals around the region.
Fredrik Gustafson, Saab’s vice president for marketing and sales in Latin America, told Defense News earlier this year that the Swedish plane maker foresees "a regional need for between 200 and 300 new fighter jet aircraft during the next 10 years".
Gustafson added that "the vast majority of the requirements to be expected in this market would suit Gripen very well because of its combination of affordability and cost-effectiveness.”
Asked if an eventual surge of orders for Gripen in South America would be fulfilled through Brazil's assembly line, Gustafson said the answer "would depend on the capacity in the different production sites and the preferences of customers.”
The Saab executive avoided elaborating on specific countries in the region having an eye on the jet.
Nevertheless, Colombia is known to have an interest after a number of fatal crashes and serviceability problems led to its fleet of Israeli-made, second-hand Kfir fighter jets being grounded between June and September of last year.
The situation led to heavy criticism of the longstanding policy of procuring old, used combat aircraft, which are relatively cheap to buy but expensive and difficult to keep serviceable.
DEFENSE NEWS
Gripen E Debuts as Saab Reports Continued Interest in C Variants
Rodolfo Restrepo, an analyst based in Bogota, said Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos has backed his air force's plans for new-build aircraft to replace the Kfir.
The analyst said Saab and the Colombian air force are currently engaged in an active exchange of information about Gripen.
Restrepo said the Gripen’s prospects have increased after the recent ceasefire agreement between the government and the FARC guerrillas.
"As the agreement advances to the demobilization of the guerrillas, plans to refocus the Colombian armed forces from counterinsurgency back to more traditional defense missions will gain momentum, including renewing the country's fleet of fighter jets", he points out.
Simon Silva, an analyst based in Quito, says that Ecuador could follow the same path.
That country’s air force, which also operates a fleet of Kfir jets, has similarly experienced problems, leading officials to keep an eye on the Gripen, according to Silva.
Peru is seen as another potential customer for the Gripen. The military is looking at whether to discard plans to continue upgrading its old Mirage 2000 and Mig-29 fighters in order to replace them with a single new aircraft type instead.
As in the case of Colombia, affordability is the key aspect that makes Gripen attractive to Peru.
Cesar Cruz, an analyst based in Lima, said a study on the way ahead by the Peruvian air force was underway, with Gripen representing one of the most interesting potential solutions.
Nothing will be decided, however, before the installation of the new government led by President Pedro Kuczynski late in July.
Argentina, has been shopping for a fighter to replace the handful of aging A-4 Skyhawks for a while without much success.
DEFENSE NEWS
Argentina’s Jet Fighter Replacement Options Narrow
One of the options has been the Gripen. The problem is even if the financing were to be sorted out, Argentina would still have to overcome a British veto on selling the jet to its old Falkand Island/Malvinas adversary.
British companies supply a number of systems to the Gripen, and the government in London has previously made it clear they would not approve a sale of the aircraft to Argentina.
Relations between London and Buenos Aires have thawed a little of late.
Local analyst Luis Piñeiro said Argentina could first go for a cheaper, temporary solution, like the acquisition of second-hand Mirage F-1s that have recently been the subject of talks with the French government.
But, Piñeiro said: "As Argentina's economy recovers and the relation with the UK warms, Gripen will remain as the most interesting long-term solution."
José Higuera reported from Santiago; Andrew Chuter reported from London.
