Saab has announced that its Gripen offer to Finland will also include two GlobalEye Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) aircraft.
The firm say that such AEW&C capability would increase Finland’s situational awareness and provide increased pre-warning time, supporting the protection of the nation’s territorial integrity.
“Our offer to Finland is a comprehensive solution for air power and air defence, responding to the requirements of the HX programme. GlobalEye is the world’s most advanced AEW&C solution and combined with Gripen E/F fighter aircraft, it will provide a substantial contribution to the joint operational capability of the Finnish Defence Forces”, says Anders Carp, Senior Vice President and head of Saab’s business area Surveillance, in a press release.
Saab submitted its proposal for the Finnish fighter procurement in January this year.
Saab’s proposal comprises 64 Gripen aircraft, of which 52 are single-seat Gripen E and 12 are dual-seat Gripen F, as well as two GlobalEye AEW&C aircraft.
Finland has stated that it is planning a procurement decision in 2021.
As part of the proposal, Saab advise that is offering the necessary equipment and associated services to operate the aircraft as well as a substantial weapon and sensor package.
Saab’s proposal also includes an industrial co-operation programme with the aim to build extensive national capabilities in Finland for security of supply. It features transfer of maintenance, repair and overhaul capabilities to local industry as well as aircraft production and establishment of a sustainment and development centre in Finland.
It looks like Saab have put a nice package together for Finland, who will have a nice little airforce if they go ahead with it.
They won’t go for it, this is another certain win for the F-35…
I would love to know the difference in Radar Cross section of the two air craft. The Gripen has a lot of advantages over the F35 in terms of ease of maintenance, being refuelled and re armed off unprepared roads. They could be dispersed over 20 different sites making them less vulnerable on the ground.
All very well but the F-35 is such a quantum leap in capability over the Legacy Hornet when it comes to its sensor capabilities let alone stealth I think it will win out without too much fuss.
If Finland want and AEW&C type there is no reason why they can’t put forward another RFP.
Most nations buying the f35 in small numbers are crazy! I think it’s a status thing with 5th gen aircraft, like Poland buying a handful of F35s!
Nice package! I wonder if they went down this route instead of the F-35, whether Finland would be interested in joining the Tempest program later on?
“The Gripen has a history of punching above its weight class, with the C/D frequently entered in procurement competitions against the middle-weight Typhoon, Gripen and late-life F-16. Indeed when Hush-Kit asked Jim Smith, who had significant technical roles in the development of the JSF and Eurofighter Typhoon, to rank modern fighter aircraft he put the Meteor-armed Gripen in joint 2nd place (just behind the F-22) as a homeland air defence fighter (ranking it higher than the current Typhoon, Rafale, Su-30/ F-18E/F, F-15, Su-35, J-11, F-35 and the J-20).”
https://hushkit.net/2018/05/12/6th-generation-swede-the-saab-gripen-e/
The recent shoot down of the USN Global Hawk by Iran helps the case for the F-35 in this and other competitions.
It clearly has some stealth capability and can carry a formidable weapons package.
https://saab.com/gripen/our-fighters/gripen-fighter-system/gripen-e-series/gripen-e/
This must be the logical choice for them (IMO). Faster top speed (bits dont fall off) cheaper to procure, cheaper and easier to maintain, better range, better weapons packages…only an idiot would go F35 over this for a country as small as Finland. (pointless but it looks a crap load nicer than the bloody ugly F35 as well)
Equally, It could serve in the air policing role for the UK saving airframe hours for our Typhoons/F-35’s. Fitting (if possible) the EJ200/230 engine could boost both performance and safety. Potentially a useful partner in the future development of Tempest too!