Sweden makes bid to supply 48 Gripen aircraft to Norway
Today Sweden presented a bid to the Norwegian Ministry of Defence offering joint development, and sale to Norway, of 48 Gripen aircraft. The bid also includes support equipment, support systems and coordinated training, maintenance and support, which would have major advantages for both Sweden and Norway.
Today Sweden presented a bid to the Norwegian Ministry of Defence offering joint development, and sale to Norway, of 48 Gripen aircraft. The bid also includes support equipment, support systems and coordinated training, maintenance and support, which would have major advantages for both Sweden and Norway.
Delivery to Norway is scheduled to begin in 2016 and extend over a period of several years. Sweden intends to use a number of Gripen aircraft of the same version specified in the bid, provided Norway accepts the offer. The offer falls within the existing economic plan for the Gripen system. If Norway accepts the offer contract negotiations will follow, after which the Riksdag must give its approval in necessary areas.
"Gripen is very competitive and is attracting much increased international interest. The reasons are obvious. The system has verifiable purchase and operating costs, as well as a good record of industrial cooperation and technical development together with other countries. Gripen is a high-tech, tried and tested system that fully meets Norway´s requirements. Moreover, it has full NATO interoperability", says Minister for Defence Sten Tolgfors.
The offer also contains a number of proposals on possible areas for deeper cooperation between Swedish and Norwegian authorities. These proposals concern defence research and military technology development, security and safety technology, logistics, training and joint exercises.
"Sweden´s ability to offer Gripen as an option for Norway confirms the strong links and good relations between our countries. We face new challenges and opportunities in our region. Nordic defence cooperation is steadily growing and is a key area of development for defence policy. If Norway chooses Gripen this will be highly significant for defence policy," says Mr Tolgfors.
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