LokeHard to say, Finland have expressed interest in keeping todays number of fighters. If that will actually be the case then it would probably be what’s speaking against the F-35 in Finland. Also I would not count out the F-18, I’m guessing the line will be kept open until a decision is made Finland, by the US Navy and probably a deal with Kuwait.
Actually it was Saab who said that it seems Finland was interested in a smaller number of a/c, perhaps as low as 40 — this is in favor of the F-35 (unless Sweden can offer some “equalizers” like sharing AEW capabilities with Finland).
The Finns, Ahlqvist said, are expected to ask for 40 to 60 aircraft, “and we see that Gripen has got a good chance in Finland.”
The SH line must be kept open not only until Finland makes a decision, but until the first delivery to Finland. It may become expensive.
LokeSweden should offer 40-50 Gripen E and sharing of Erieye ER with Sweden. Gripen E + Erieye ER would be a very powerful system; by co-operating the AEW (similar to what NATO countries do with AWACS) costs would be shared. Win-win since the Swedish Air Force would be very interested in upgrading their Eireyes to the ER standard.
Protected by Gripen E w. Meteor, the Erieyes would not be that easy to shoot down.
Lokethe amounts seem small. more like modification or follow up to existing customer.
I was actually thinking about Saudi Arabia…
LokeAnybody want to make a guess who the new secret customer could be? I have no clue however countries in the ME have bought a lot of military hardware recently, they are sometimes secretive about their purchases, and Saab already have two customers in the region… so my guess it’s a country in the ME.
Another option could be an Asian country, however apart from Singapore I am not aware of any other Asian country being so secretive and Singapore is not a likely candidate since they already operate Israeli AEW&C.
So who in the ME could this be?
Loke30 May 2016
Defence and security company Saab has received an order within the Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) segment. The order amounts to approx. SEK 1.1 billion. Deliveries will be made from 2016 until 2018.
http://saabgroup.com/Media/news-press/news/2016-05/saab-receives-order-within-aewc/
Interesting.
LokeThe air force currently spends most of its aircraft procurement dollars on the F-35A multi-role fighter, Boeing KC-46A tanker and Lockheed C-130J tactical transport, but Lightning II production rates have been truncated at 48 aircraft per year through this decade, only rising to 60 copies per year in 2021 from Fort Worth, Texas.
https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/usaf-warms-to-f-22-raptor-revival-proposal-425794/
These are probably silly questions but:
Why are they waiting until 2021 to ramp up production to 60 per year? I though IOC for the A will be reached later this year, and operational testing completed in 2018?
Why don’t they plan to produce more than 60 per year in 2021?
To me it seems crazy to re-start F-22 production — seems more sensible to ramp up F-35 production!
LokeOn May 18, Saab unveiled the latest version of its Gripen multirole fighter aircraft. The JAS-39E Gripen is a stockier, beefed up version, with a new engine, the General Electric F414, as well as capacity for 40% more fuel (thanks to a redesigned central fuselage) and additional weapon pylons. The company has also put significant emphasis on data fusion with information from a new active, electronically scanned array (AESA) radar, infrared search and track, electronic warfare systems and more advanced data links, building on the systems Saab has designed.
At first glance, the E version looks like just another Gripen, but the broader wing roots betray the type’s ability to carry more fuel. Two additional belly-mounted pylons expand its weapon load, while faceted wingtip pods enable an enhanced electronic warfare capability.
Read more: http://aviationweek.com/defense/saab-s-growing-gripen-family#slide-0-field_images-1457021
I am very curious about the data fusion on Gripen E however most likely it will take quite some time until specific info on the enhanced sensor fusion capabilities will be released.
LokeDoes not have to be either. The contract negotiations were due to be wrapped up this month.
Do you have a source for that?
Reading the FlightGlobal article one gets the impression that there is a delay:
The F-35 Joint Programme Office (JPO) and the aircraft manufacturer have been trying to come to an agreement on pricing for the 57 total aircraft in Lot 9 and the 94 jets in Lot 10 since wrapping up an agreement for Lot 8 for 43 aircraft in October 2014.
Also if this is for a/c delivered in 2015 and 2016, isn’t it a bit odd that they have not yet agreed on the contract? Since he refers to “value for taxpayers” one does get the impression that price is somehow involved as factor in the “dragged-out” negotiations. (and why do they use the term “dragged-out negotiations” if everything is proceeding according to plan as you seem to imply…?)
LokeWithout giving any reason for the dragged-out negotiation process, Pentagon acquisition chief Frank Kendall confirmed during a press briefing on 24 May that no agreement has been reached for those aircraft quantities funded in fiscal years 2015 and 2016. This is despite Lockheed already receiving funding for long-lead parts needed for the on-time production of Lot 11 aircraft (FY2017).
“We haven’t reached an agreement,” Kendall says. “We’re working hard to get the best possible value for the taxpayer and one that we think is fair to the contractors and we’re not in agreement yet. We’re negotiating [Lots 9-10] together.”
Hmm, is it getting harder to reduce the price further? Or is there another reason behind this?
LokeNegotiations with Slovakia are expected to be completed by mid-June:
http://www.teraz.sk/ekonomika/p-gajdos-rokovania-o-prenajme-stihaciek-/198457-clanok.html
LokeAt Linkoping on May 19, as the Gripen E was rolled out by Sweden’s Saab, the national flavour in the air was undoubtedly Brazilian. Brazil had the largest number of journalists, officials and military at the ceremony, the country’s flag colours were first to adorn the newly unveiled Gripen Echo after the Swedish blue-yellow. The chunky $4.7 billion deal Saab bagged last year with Brazil to supply 36 new generation Gripens to the Brazilian Air Force still electrifies this Swedish city that builds the jet. Brazil has bet big on the Gripen, harvesting a local build program and a complex production and development sharing arrangement with Sweden. But beyond the Brazilian frisson that still clings like static to everything in Linkoping this season, there are bigger things in Saab’s forward plan. That, without a doubt, is India.
Full story: http://www.livefistdefence.com/2016/05/riding-a-sweetened-gripen-saab-targets-india-again.html
Interesting…!
LokeHere’s a more precise translation of the quoted part of the article:
“Every aircraft has strong and weak points that we have to use to our advantage in dogfight,” tells one of the Czech fighter pilots and adds: “We have our own battle tactics and we choose the best one based on the specifications of the oponent’s aircraft.” Apart from high maneuverability, the other advantage of JAS 39 is its size. “The aircraft is noticeably smaller when compared to other 4th generation fighters, that’s why the oponent usually spots us later than we spot him. Another advantage is a very powerful radar allowing target detection on long distance. Based on the results so far, the radar in combination with jammer causes considerable problems to other aircraft,” experienced pilot from Čáslav praises [the aircraft].
Thanks! Your translation is way better than Google’s 🙂
LokeReport from “NATO tiger meet”:
“the benefits of JAS-39 Gripen, in addition to its high maneuverability, dimensions. “The aircraft is compared with other airplanes of the fourth generation noticeably smaller adversary us because usually notices later than we are His. Other features include a powerful radar that enables the detection of targets at a great distance. In combination with a radar jammer, then according to the current results is causing considerable problems for other airplanes, “praising Čáslavský experienced pilot.
Google translated from: http://afbcaslav.cz/index.php/zpravy/567-vsedni-nevsedni-den-na-cviceni-nato-tiger-meet-2016
Participants in NATO Tiger Meet 2016: http://www.natotigers.org/tiger-meets/2016
Loke“The Meteor missile changes the balance of forces in the air. With Meteor, the Swedish Air Force will be able to push away opponents because they won’t dare approach,” says Michael Östergren, Project Manager of the JAS Gripen update.
Meteor is a missile with a completely new technology that allows it to reach targets at long distances. By interacting with various sensors on the JAS 39 Gripen, the missile can be fired long before enemy planes can fire their own missiles.
“Gripen can fire their weapons long before the opponent can. This means that you can push opponents away because they do not dare to approach,” said Michael Östergren, project manager for Gripen C/D version 20, which includes Meteor.
Being able to reach the enemy with the weapon before he can do it gives a first-shot capability and allows, in particular, to push back enemy aircraft, for example to prevent attacks against Sweden.
LokeThe general asked me when we were presented if I was happy to fly Gripen. I said that I was really and exemplified it that I never lost a dogfight against an American fighter aircraft built and then I had practiced against everyone except the F-22.
Google translated from: http://www.expressen.se/kronikorer/carl-bergqvist/darfor-slar-gripen-alla-i-en-top-gun-fight/
Dog fights are not that relevant anymore however still interesting read…
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