Svensk kritik mot Ungern drabbar JAS-exporten

However, the other $1 billion deal with Lockheed Martin, which was also revealed by Cornstein, is still in its initial phase, according to Direkt36’s information. Since the company’s main products are fighter jets and Hungary’s leasing contract for 14 Swedish Gripens (JAS 39) used by the Hungarian Air Force will expire in less than 10 years, the business is logically either about buying the latest variant of the F-16 or the fifth-generation jet fighter F-35. “The Swedes were digging their own grave with their many anti-Hungarian attacks. It is conceivable that we are buying F-35s instead,” a senior Hungarian government official told Direkt36 referring to the Gripens and the frequent criticism coming from the Swedish government regarding the state of rule of law and human rights in Hungary.

Det som sker i Ungern är alarmerande. Nu vill Orban att fler ”äkta” ungerska barn föds. Politiken osar 30-tal och som högerpopulist behöver man skapa dimridåer för vad den här typen av politik gör med den självständighet kvinnor kämpat för.

According to both Hungarian and U.S. government sources, a conflict between Hungary and Norway is halting the deal (Norway is involved as majority shareholder of Kongsberg, the other manufacturer besides Raytheon of the NASAMS air-defense system). To solve the debate, Hungary’s government requested the U.S. to intervene.

The reason for the conflict, according to a diplomatic source, is that the Hungarian government ties the air-defense system deal to the ongoing debate over the Norway Grant Funds, which practically means the financial support that Norway gives to Hungarian civil society. The European Economic Area (EEA) and Norway Grants Fund would provide €214.6 million ($241 million) to Hungary for the period 2014-2021, but 10 percent of the money would be distributed to Hungarian NGOs through an independent fund operator of Norway’s choice. However, Hungary’s government is opposed to this and wants to have a say in how the total amount of the Norwegian contribution is spent, including that 10 percent aimed at strengthening civil society. A Hungarian government official confirmed to Direkt36 that this is indeed an issue halting the arms deal but did not elaborate further.