Today Saab handed over a tender for 36 Gripen Next Generation to the Brazilian Air Force Air Command. The tender is an answer to the formal Request for Proposal issued in the autumn 2008.Gripen NG is the next generation Gripen, an enhanced version of the well established net centric warfare multirole fighter which has proven low acquisition, operation and support costs.
The Gripen NG programme covers development of avionics and all major sensors including data communication, self-protection systems, weapons integration, as well as airframe and propulsion enhancements.
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I think the Super Hornet will win the Brazilian order.
ReplyDeletePete
I don't. Gripen is less expensive and Saab has a track record of skillfully using offsets to lure support for their program. They also have a relationship in place with Embraer, Brazil's aircraft manufacturer. Brazil is facing mass obsolescence in its air force and needs a lot of new equipment.
ReplyDeletePrice and offsets will dominate the discussions, and the Gripen's ability to operate from short, rough airfields will be a crucial selling point in a nation as big as Brazil. Brazil is simply unable to keep enough aircraft in service to cover the entire country; the ability to forward deploy fighters to hotspots along the frontier is very useful.