Saab's Next-Gen Gripen Fighter Jets Ready in May

[Zarvan]

Stefan Kalm/Saab AB

The Royal Thai Air Force is under discussions to purchase another 12 Gripen C/D variants.

SINGAPORE — Saab’s next-generation Gripen E combat jet will be rolled out of the assembly site at Linkopping, Sweden, on May 18, the company announced during a briefing with reporters at the Singapore Airshow.

Three aircraft are planned for the test phase of the new aircraft E/F variant, which has been purchased by Swedish and Brazilian air forces.

No timing has been given for the first flight of the jet, which incorporates a raft of improvements over the earlier C/D version, most notably the addition of an active electronically scanned radar.

During the briefing, Saab officials confirmed that they expect to add Slovakia to the list of Gripen export fighter customers at some stage after the general election timed for next month.

The Slovakians are currently in negotiation with Saab to acquire 8 new C/D variant aircraft, said Richard Smith, the head of Gripen sales, on Feb 18.

“Negotations are ongoing as they head into an election and most likely the contract will be signed after the election is over ,” said Smith.

The Gripen sales boss said the deal would be a purchase and not a lease.




The Czech and Hungarian air forces already operate the C/D version under lease arrangements. Saab also listed Croatia and Bulgaria as other potential customers for the fighter.

Saab will continue to produce and develop the C/D version alongside the new E/F variant into the future.

Smith said he believes Saab will secure around 300 Gripen sales over the coming years. A number of those could involve additional orders from existing customers.




The 36 Gripen E’s ordered by Brazil are just an initial order, the executive believes. An assembly line is being established in Brazil to build 15 of the aircraft.

Smith said a second country in Latin America was in dialogue with them to acquire the Gripen but he declined to name the air force in question.

One possibility is Colombia; it has a requirement and a budget to acquire a combat jet.

Discussions are under way with Thailand to acquire further C/D aircraft to add to the 12 they have already purchased in two batches of six.

A company officials said he was convinced there would be a third batch and the total order could eventually grow to two full squadrons of aircraft, a total of 36 machines.

Email: achuter@defensenews.com


Saab's Next-Gen Gripen Fighter Jets Ready in May

 

[C130]

how would does the Gripen E/F cost now to procure??

 

[Pulsar]

how would does the Gripen E/F cost now to procure??

The quoted per unit price for Gripen C/D is around 70 million USD. Gripen E/F NG costs around 90 million USD.

 

[C130]

The quoted per unit price for Gripen C/D is around 70 million USD. Gripen E/F NG costs around 90 million USD.

kinda pricey for the E/F

that's F-16 blk 60 or F-16V range


but if it costs less to fly and maintain compared to the F-16 still a good deal in theory, but the F-16 is still the better aircraft.

 

[yugocrosrb95]

kinda pricey for the E/F

that's F-16 blk 60 or F-16V range

but if it costs less to fly and maintain compared to the F-16 still a good deal in theory, but the F-16 is still the better aircraft.

That is your bias talking that F-16 is still better...

Will F-16 have a cutting edge radar like E/F? No.

Will F-16 fire a Meteor BVRAAM? No.

Will F-16 supercruise with combat load? No.

 

[C130]

That is your bias talking that F-16 is still better...

Will F-16 have a cutting edge radar like E/F? No.

Will F-16 fire a Meteor BVRAAM? No.

Will F-16 supercruise with combat load? No.

it is better

it can carry more ordnance and fuel.

whether it has a better radar is debtable depending if you are talking about the mechanical radar or the AESA one for the F-16

Meteor is the best BVR missile in the world, but AIM-120D narrows that gap

and super cruise I doubt that's with a full load of ordnance and full load of gas as well.


super cruise is probably only possible when it has half a tank of gas and a few AAM

 

[A.P. Richelieu]

it is better

it can carry more ordnance and fuel.

whether it has a better radar is debtable depending if you are talking about the mechanical radar or the AESA one for the F-16

Meteor is the best BVR missile in the world, but AIM-120D narrows that gap

and super cruise I doubt that's with a full load of ordnance and full load of gas as well.


super cruise is probably only possible when it has half a tank of gas and a few AAM

Comparing two aircraft and deciding which is best based on half a dozen parameters is kind of stupid.
Before You decide which is best, You also need to understand which task to be performed.
Which is the better aircraft, an F-16, or a C-5 Galaxy?
Certainly the C-5 can transport more tanks and troops than the F-16.

 

[C130]

Comparing two aircraft and deciding which is best based on half a dozen parameters is kind of stupid.
Before You decide which is best, You also need to understand which task to be performed.
Which is the better aircraft, an F-16, or a C-5 Galaxy?
Certainly the C-5 can transport more tanks and troops than the F-16.

it's just my personal opinion

 

[volatile]

That is your bias talking that F-16 is still better...

Will F-16 have a cutting edge radar like E/F? Yes F16V is as effective as any thing also Sabr upgrade if offering state of the art avionics ,EW and other stuff .

Will F-16 fire a Meteor BVRAAM? AIM 120D HOBS all have been integrated ,Whats your point .

Will F-16 supercruise with combat load? No.

Definately not But extended flying through CFT makes it very deadly

Point is F16 VS Gripen on any given day F16 should win not on biasness but on follolwing factors
1. Gripen complex supplychain for parts ,engine and other stuff .
2. F16 proven combat and its operation among so many

 

[A.P. Richelieu]

Definately not But extended flying through CFT makes it very deadly

Point is F16 VS Gripen on any given day F16 should win not on biasness but on follolwing factors
1. Gripen complex supplychain for parts ,engine and other stuff .
2. F16 proven combat and its operation among so many

100 Billion flies can't be wrong, eat shit, LOL...

The P-51 Mustang has proved itself in combat much more than the F -16,
yet You would not choose that over the F-16, right?

Su-30MKI appears to have a less complex supply chain,
but still logistical problems thrive.

The issue with the supply chain is that some countries,
like Argentina, will be vetoed by one or more country.
Did not block SAAB from selling to a number of countries.
If they are not vetoed, what is the problem?

 

[Desertfalcon]

100 Billion flies can't be wrong, eat shit, LOL...

The P-51 Mustang has proved itself in combat much more than the F -16,
yet You would not choose that over the F-16, right?

Su-30MKI appears to have a less complex supply chain,
but still logistical problems thrive.

The issue with the supply chain is that some countries,
like Argentina, will be vetoed by one or more country.
Did not block SAAB from selling to a number of countries.
If they are not vetoed, what is the problem?

Whichever is better, SAAB is brilliant in how Gripen was designed and marketed as an export fighter. If I were in charge of procurement in a developing country, especially, Gripen would be a first choice. Incredible "bang-for-the buck", as we say.

 

[volatile]

Whichever is better, SAAB is brilliant in how Gripen was designed and marketed as an export fighter. If I were in charge of procurement in a developing country, especially, Gripen would be a first choice. Incredible "bang-for-the buck", as we say.

Yes you can fairly comment no doubt this plane is very good but there are some considerations before you make such a big decision.
Saab Marketing hasn't that successful as per following reasons .
1. It has to approve from Swedish Govt first like in case for any country (So already there are some customers who are potential are out of the race due to human rights vioaltion bla bla)
2. It constitutes several key systems like engine ,avionics and some other critical parts that again requires US/UK/EU approvals (So again further refinement of customers)
3. Gripen has to fight against F16 which itself is a very big name and potent system .

Hats off to its developer ,had it not an American Engine it would have been PAF no1 choice that i can assure you .

 

[Desertfalcon]

2. It constitutes several key systems like engine ,avionics and some other critical parts that again requires US/UK/EU approvals (So again further refinement of customers)

Well, that's the key problem for the Gripen. It's sales depend on the approval of countries that are in competition with it. That's tough but yes, hats off for the success that SAAB has still managed to make of it!

 

[A.P. Richelieu]

Yes you can fairly comment no doubt this plane is very good but there are some considerations before you make such a big decision.
Saab Marketing hasn't that successful as per following reasons .
1. It has to approve from Swedish Govt first like in case for any country (So already there are some customers who are potential are out of the race due to human rights vioaltion bla bla)
2. It constitutes several key systems like engine ,avionics and some other critical parts that again requires US/UK/EU approvals (So again further refinement of customers)
3. Gripen has to fight against F16 which itself is a very big name and potent system .

Hats off to its developer ,had it not an American Engine it would have been PAF no1 choice that i can assure you .

And the sale would not happen, due to Your point #1.
Pakistan has asked to buy before, and was told to forget it.

As far as I know, only Argentina has been blocked by #2, but the U.S.
has delayed response on some technology when Norway was selecting their fighters.
Probably did not affect anything, since the key parameter in the Norwegian
decision to buy F-35, was that they wanted to sell the JSM (Joint Strike Missile)
to the U.S. and without buying F-35, no chance.

F-16 has not been any real competition in the recent fighter competitions.
India, Brazil, Switzerland - F-16 did not get anywhere.

 

[volatile]

And the sale would not happen, due to Your point #1.
Pakistan has asked to buy before, and was told to forget it.

As far as I know, only Argentina has been blocked by #2, but the U.S.
has delayed response on some technology when Norway was selecting their fighters.
Probably did not affect anything, since the key parameter in the Norwegian
decision to buy F-35, was that they wanted to sell the JSM (Joint Strike Missile)
to the U.S. and without buying F-35, no chance.

F-16 has not been any real competition in the recent fighter competitions.
India, Brazil, Switzerland - F-16 did not get anywhere.

I admire your emotions to answer the point you mentioned about Pakistan ,We were in the process of negotiating a good number in 2005 we buy SAAB Erieye why we didnt go for Gripen as it has US engine ,for F16 we only have to work with US but for gripen we have to work with Sweden /US both so its kinda complicated .
You really think that F35 and gripen are in the same league .I think you need to reconsider both of there capabilities .
To your third point F16 and gripen are in contention and will remain there .India rejected both in MRCA now both co are talking to put assembly line (F16 and Gripen) for Switzerland i think it was rejected (what is the current status) .Brazil got a wonderful deal it was more of a commercial than technical .

Brazil finalises $4.68bn Gripen NG deal
" the same time, Brazil’s economy was mired in an enduring slump caused partly by a corruption scandal exposed within the country’s ruling party.

As Brazil’s currency value plummeted last June, government officials asked Sweden to renegotiate the interest rate on the Gripen NG contract, which was agreed in late July. The Brazilian Senate agreed to the new terms in early August, setting the stage to finally consummate the deal this week.

The Brazilian air force has attempted to acquire new fighters since 1996, settling during the interim for used Dassault Mirage 2000s and a modernisation of its Douglas A-4s and Northrop F-5s.

After a long-delayed selection process, Brazil ultimately decided to buy the latest version of the single-engined Swedish fighter, with a mission package including an active electronically scanned array radar and infrared search and track sensor.

“The acquisition of Gripen NG will provide benefits beyond the enlargement of the Brazilian air force’s [FAB] operational capacity. In addition to equipping FAB with one of the world's most modern fighters, the participation in the development of Gripen NG means a technological breakthrough for Brazilian industry,” says Brazilian air force chief Lt Brig Nivaldo Luiz Rossato".

In this much money its a good capability .