Debate on JAS39 numbers as budget constraints loom under the Swedish government's national defence planning bill
The Swedish air force is expected to have its order for Saab JAS39 Gripen fighters cut below 200 under a new national defence planning bill to be released on 17 September. The bill seeks to reduce Sweden's defence spending by as much as SKr3 billion ($400 million) by 2007, pending parliamentary approval in mid-December.
Saab, Gripen International and the Swedish government say talks on JAS39 numbers are under way. Government officials say they want to scale down the existing order for 204 aircraft, with a preference for continuing production of JAS39C/D versions to replace existing A/B-series aircraft, which could be released for export sale.
However, the government is also studying an option on a mixed fleet, based on scaling back production of Sweden's planned 84 C/D-model aircraft.
"We have been asked if we are prepared to renegotiate and yes, we have said that we are," says Saab president Ake Svensson. "If that leads into development of new systems that will be needed for the future defence, then we are interested to sit down with the customer and reason about that. But so far there are no decisions."
Swedish defence minister Leni Bjorklund says the defence bill will incorporate a "budget cut" impacting on many current programmes. But she says the government wants to protect the Swedish defence industry. "Perhaps the most difficult part of the future bill will be how we treat industry and how we treat defence materiel. Those companies and the research that is carried out through our military demands in that sector has meant a lot to Swedish industry in general."
The potential cuts to the Gripen order come as Saab and Gripen International continue talks with Pakistan about a potential sale of JAS39s and Saab 2000 aircraft equipped with Ericsson's Erieye airborne early-warning radar. The Swedish government plans to refer the proposed Erieye sale to its defence exports approvals authority for a recommendation.
PETER LA FRANCHI / STOCKHOLM & LINKÖPING
Source: Flight International