Saab looks toward three critical competitions for near-term Gripen C/D sales

LINKÖPING, Sweden — Saab is eyeing three competitions in Botswana, Bulgaria and Slovakia as key near-term opportunities to sell more of its Gripen C/D fighter jets and re-energize its production line, company officials said Tuesday. 

SAAB Gripen C/D Jet Fighter

One of those countries, Bulgaria, seems poised to cement a deal to buy eight new-build Gripens to replace its MiG-29s. In April, Bulgarian interim Deputy Prime Minister Stefan Yanev announced that the Saab jet was the preferred option, potentially beating out secondhand F-16s from Portugal and secondhand Eurofighter Typhoons purchased from Italy. 

“What happens now is they are forming the new government, so now we are waiting for information on how to proceed,” Richard Smith, Saab’s head of Gripen marketing, told reporters during a May 9 briefing in Linköping, Sweden. Defense News is attending a Saab media trip this week and has accepted hotel and travel accommodations from the company. 

Read more here on Saab Gripen JAS 39 C/D Fighter Jet

JAS 39 Gripen

Grey fighter aircraft banking right, showing its top view, against a light-blue sky

Swedish Air Force JAS 39 Gripen

Role Fighter, attack and reconnaissance aircraft

National origin Sweden

Manufacturer Saab Group

Design group Industrigruppen JAS, FMV

First flight 9 December 1988

Introduction 1 November 1997

Status In service

Primary users Swedish Air Force

South African Air Force

Czech Air Force

Hungarian Air Force

Produced 1987–present

Number built Approx. 247[Nb 1]

Program cost US$ 13.54 billion (2006)[1][Nb 2]

Unit cost

US$30–60 million for JAS 39C

While the Gripen production line will be kept humming into the foreseeable future with orders for new E/F models from Sweden and Brazil, the last delivery of the C/D variants occurred in 2015. Smith confirmed that Saab had started some “essential work” on new "C" models to shorten the delivery timeline for future orders, but declined to elaborate on whether that included purchasing 
long-lead items or if some construction had begun. 


Type Public (Nasdaq Stockholm: SAAB B)
Industry Aerospace and defence
Predecessor SAAB/Saab AB (1937–68)
Saab-Scania (1968–95)
Founded Trollhättan, Sweden (1937)
Headquarters Stockholm, Sweden
Area served Worldwide
Products Air Traffic Control systems , Fighter aircraft , Military aircraft ,Military systems
Radars

"We haven't specified those aircraft for a specific country, and we've not built any white tails,” he said. White tail is a term used to describe aircraft made without a firm customer on order. 



 Sweden
Country in Europe

Sweden is a Scandinavian nation with thousands of coastal islands and inland lakes, along with vast boreal forests and glaciated mountains. Its principal cities, eastern capital Stockholm and southwestern Gothenburg and Malmö, are all coastal. Stockholm is built on 14 islands. It has more than 50 bridges, as well as the medieval old town, Gamla Stan, royal palaces and museums such as open-air Skansen.
Capital: Stockholm

Currency: Swedish krona
Population: 9.799 million (2015) World Bank
Capital and largest city: Stockholm; 59°21′N 18°4′E / 59.350°N 18.067°E
Official language: Swedish


Besides Bulgaria, Botswana and Slovakia provide the most immediate sales opportunities for C/D models. 

Saab has responded to a request for proposals that Botswana issued in June 2016. Its offering includes new-build jets, pilot and technician training, initial logistics support, and other local support. The Gripen will compete against Korea Aerospace Industries’ FA-50, a fighter version of its T-50 trainer. 

“We feel that now the discussions move forward with Botswana, and I think in terms of what we’re offering, we’re offering genuine fighter capability for Botswana in the future,” Smith said. 

Meanwhile, Slovakia is seeking to replace its MiG-29 fleet and issued its latest fighter RFP in 2016. Saab, which has been engaged in discussions with the Slovakian government since 2015, is offering a package of C/D varients with logistics support, training, local support and maintenance. 

“Now we are waiting a decision from the Slovaks … on how to proceed,” he said. 

Saab is also moving forward with preparations for the Gripen E’s first flight, expected to occur before the end of June. Although the physical design of the Gripen E looks almost identical to the C/D, Saab officials stress that it’s a completely different plane, with a more powerful engine, improved range and new avionics. 

Bulgaria opts for Swedish Gripen combat jets

By: Tsvetelia Tsolova and Angel Krasimirov, Reuters, April 26, 2017

SOFIA, Bulgaria — Bulgaria has decided to start talks with Sweden to acquire eight new Gripen combat jets made by Saab, Bulgarian interim Deputy Prime Minister Stefan Yanev said Wednesday, as the Balkan country seeks to replace its aging Soviet-designed MiG-29s. 

The Balkan country has picked the Swedish offer in preference to an offer from Portugal of secondhand U.S. F-16s equipped with U.S. weaponry and an offer from Italy of secondhand Eurofighter Typhoon fighters. 

A deal is estimated to be worth about 1.5 billion levs (U.S. $832 million). 

A special commission for the negotiations is expected to be set up within a week, Yanev said. The talks with Sweden will be held by Bulgaria's next government, which is expected to take office next week. 

Bulgaria
Country in the Balkans
Bulgaria is a Balkan nation with diverse terrain encompassing Black Sea coastline, a mountainous interior and rivers, including the Danube. A cultural melting pot with Greek, Slavic, Ottoman, and Persian influences, it has a rich heritage of traditional dance, music, costumes, and crafts. At the foot of domed Vitosha mountain is its capital city, Sofia, dating to the 5th century B.C.
Capital: Sofia
Capital and largest city: Sofia; 42°41′N 23°19′E / 42.683°N 23.317°E
Currency: Bulgarian lev
Official script: Cyrillic

Official language: Bulgarian

"Sweden's offer is ranked first, followed by Portugal and Italy," Yanev said. "It is normal that talks start with the first-ranked country." 

Last year, Bulgaria's parliament approved a plan to acquire eight new or secondhand fighter jets between 2018 and 2020 to improve the country's compliance with NATO standards and replace its MiG-29s. 

A final deal would still need parliamentary approval. 



The company will begin delivering the first Gripen Es to Sweden and Brazil in 2019. The Swedish Air Force plans to buy 60 Gripen E/Fs, and Brazil has put in an order for 36 aircraft — although it may need up to 100 new fighters to replenish its force. 

Brazilian Brig. Gen. Márcio Bruno Bonotto, president of the coordinating committee of combat aircraft program, told reporters that if the Gripen E proves itself, Brazil would consider expanding its buy. 

"We have a number in mind [of fighters that will be needed], but we haven't started to fly [the Gripen] yet,” he said. “So after seeing the capability of the aircraft, this number can change." 



Saab is also searching for further customers for the "E" model, Smith said. The company plans to propose the "E" model in Belgium’s fighter competition, where it will face off against the F-35, Rafale and Typhoon. Finland is also in the early stages of its own competition and is set to release an RFP next year. Saab responded to the country’s request for information about the Gripen in late 2016.