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Date Posted: 15-Jun-2010
Jane's Defence Weekly
Saab predicts increase in global fighter market
Gareth Jennings Jane's Aviation Desk Editor - Linköping
Saab anticipates a substantial increase in fighter procurement activities in the next three to four years following a recent lull brought about by the global economic crisis, according to Hans Rosén, head of marketing and campaigns for the company's Gripen fighter aircraft.
Speaking at the company's facility in Linköping, Sweden on 12 June, Rosén added that of the 13,000 or so fighters in service globally, about 5,000 are due to be retired in the next five to 10 years. Of these, he said about half will be replaced as air forces look to downsize their fast jet fleets.
"This is a huge market for us," he said. "A few years ago, we felt that things [in the global fighter procurement market] were really starting to pick up. [Despite] the recent harsh economic times, we see things picking up again. The next three to four years are going to be very hectic for us."
With Saab putting forward its JAS 39 Gripen C/D and NG (designated E/F by the Swedish Air Force (SwAF) as a potential replacement, Rosén said the single-engined aircraft was particularly well placed to secure a large share of this business. Unlike most of its competitors, its light weight and relatively low operating costs put it in the same class as the MiG-21 and older F-16s, two of the main platforms due to be phased out of service in the coming years.
According to Rosén, the Gripen's low operating costs in comparison with larger, twin-engined types, such as the Eurofighter Typhoon, Dassault's Rafale, and Boeing's Super Hornet, will be a particular selling point for many air forces looking to recapitalise their fighter fleets. "Money and funding is always an issue and there are real cost restraints on some countries," he said. "In regard of costs, the Gripen is in a league of its own."
Of the 12 fighter replacement programmes that are ongoing or expected to be launched before 2016, India's requirement for 126 aircraft is seen as "the big one", Rosén said. Saab's NG demonstrator aircraft arrived in the country on 17 May for three days of hot and high trials in northern Kashmir. Flying down through Hungary, Greece, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Oman before arriving at Jamnagar in Gujarat, India (3,300 m above sea level), the NG "performed better than even we expected", Rosén said. The aircraft, which was accompanied by 10 support staff, flew eight sorties, during which it was crewed by Swedish and Indian pilots.
"We think the IAF [Indian Air Force] has a good view of the Gripen," he said, adding that Saab believes India will need more than the 126 aircraft requested so far. Of these, 108 are due to be built by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) in-country. A downselect of the six competing aircraft is due towards the end of this year.
The Brazilian competition for 36 aircraft - Rosén sees this number rising to 100 plus - is due to reach a conclusion imminently with an announcement expected in the next few weeks. "We feel we are the FAB's [Força Aérea Brasileira's] choice - we have the upper hand for sure," he said.
Thailand, which has started training pilots for the six aircraft it ordered in 2008, is expected to sign for a second batch later in 2010. Saab sees additional opportunities for up to 36 aircraft in this country.
The Swiss, who have a requirement for 22 aircraft to partially replace the air force's ageing fleet of Northrop F-5E Tiger IIs, are being offered the Gripen aircraft based on the future MS21 upgrade (the Swiss Air Force recently instigated the MS20 block upgrade of its Gripen fleet). "Switzerland is a real hot spot for us right now," Rosén said.
Recognising the fact that no country wants to be the first - and potentially only - customer of a new aircraft type, Rosén said the Swedish government has made a commitment to acquire the NG in the event that an export customer can be signed up. This commitment was first made to Brazil, as it raised the issue of potentially being the only export customer for the type. Rosén said that neither India nor Switzerland asked for a similar commitment, but "it won't be a problem [to extend the Swedish government's offer to them] if asked", he said.
Other near-term global opportunities for Gripen sales that Rosén identified include Bulgaria (16 aircraft), Croatia (12), the Czech Republic (10), Denmark (36), Hungary (6), Malaysia (12), the Netherlands (85), Pakistan (36) and Romania (24).
Saab sees the Gripen NG as being a prime contender to secure many of the 2,500 fighter orders expected in the next five to 10 years.
Date Posted: 15-Jun-2010
Jane's Defence Weekly
Saab predicts increase in global fighter market
Gareth Jennings Jane's Aviation Desk Editor - Linköping
Saab anticipates a substantial increase in fighter procurement activities in the next three to four years following a recent lull brought about by the global economic crisis, according to Hans Rosén, head of marketing and campaigns for the company's Gripen fighter aircraft.
Speaking at the company's facility in Linköping, Sweden on 12 June, Rosén added that of the 13,000 or so fighters in service globally, about 5,000 are due to be retired in the next five to 10 years. Of these, he said about half will be replaced as air forces look to downsize their fast jet fleets.
"This is a huge market for us," he said. "A few years ago, we felt that things [in the global fighter procurement market] were really starting to pick up. [Despite] the recent harsh economic times, we see things picking up again. The next three to four years are going to be very hectic for us."
With Saab putting forward its JAS 39 Gripen C/D and NG (designated E/F by the Swedish Air Force (SwAF) as a potential replacement, Rosén said the single-engined aircraft was particularly well placed to secure a large share of this business. Unlike most of its competitors, its light weight and relatively low operating costs put it in the same class as the MiG-21 and older F-16s, two of the main platforms due to be phased out of service in the coming years.
According to Rosén, the Gripen's low operating costs in comparison with larger, twin-engined types, such as the Eurofighter Typhoon, Dassault's Rafale, and Boeing's Super Hornet, will be a particular selling point for many air forces looking to recapitalise their fighter fleets. "Money and funding is always an issue and there are real cost restraints on some countries," he said. "In regard of costs, the Gripen is in a league of its own."
Of the 12 fighter replacement programmes that are ongoing or expected to be launched before 2016, India's requirement for 126 aircraft is seen as "the big one", Rosén said. Saab's NG demonstrator aircraft arrived in the country on 17 May for three days of hot and high trials in northern Kashmir. Flying down through Hungary, Greece, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Oman before arriving at Jamnagar in Gujarat, India (3,300 m above sea level), the NG "performed better than even we expected", Rosén said. The aircraft, which was accompanied by 10 support staff, flew eight sorties, during which it was crewed by Swedish and Indian pilots.
"We think the IAF [Indian Air Force] has a good view of the Gripen," he said, adding that Saab believes India will need more than the 126 aircraft requested so far. Of these, 108 are due to be built by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) in-country. A downselect of the six competing aircraft is due towards the end of this year.
The Brazilian competition for 36 aircraft - Rosén sees this number rising to 100 plus - is due to reach a conclusion imminently with an announcement expected in the next few weeks. "We feel we are the FAB's [Força Aérea Brasileira's] choice - we have the upper hand for sure," he said.
Thailand, which has started training pilots for the six aircraft it ordered in 2008, is expected to sign for a second batch later in 2010. Saab sees additional opportunities for up to 36 aircraft in this country.
The Swiss, who have a requirement for 22 aircraft to partially replace the air force's ageing fleet of Northrop F-5E Tiger IIs, are being offered the Gripen aircraft based on the future MS21 upgrade (the Swiss Air Force recently instigated the MS20 block upgrade of its Gripen fleet). "Switzerland is a real hot spot for us right now," Rosén said.
Recognising the fact that no country wants to be the first - and potentially only - customer of a new aircraft type, Rosén said the Swedish government has made a commitment to acquire the NG in the event that an export customer can be signed up. This commitment was first made to Brazil, as it raised the issue of potentially being the only export customer for the type. Rosén said that neither India nor Switzerland asked for a similar commitment, but "it won't be a problem [to extend the Swedish government's offer to them] if asked", he said.
Other near-term global opportunities for Gripen sales that Rosén identified include Bulgaria (16 aircraft), Croatia (12), the Czech Republic (10), Denmark (36), Hungary (6), Malaysia (12), the Netherlands (85), Pakistan (36) and Romania (24).
Saab sees the Gripen NG as being a prime contender to secure many of the 2,500 fighter orders expected in the next five to 10 years.
they are viewing Pakistan as a potential customer as well, cool. 
Does this also imply that the Swedes will lift the unconditional ban from the supply of arms to Pakistan incase Pakistan decides to buy Gripen NG?
