JAS-39 Gripen

Storbritannien, som tillsammans med USA utvecklar ett nytt stridsflygplan, överväger att dra sig ur samarbetet. Utvecklingen kan få konsekvenser även för Sverige och JAS. Det amerikansk-brittiska samarbetet F-35, även kallat Joint Strike Fighter (JSF), är nämligen huvudkonkurrenten till svenska JAS när Norge ska köpa nya stridsflygplan.

(Issued in Portuguese; unofficial translation by defense-aerospace.com)



The Air Force Command has announced that, as specified in the plan for the renewal of the combat aircraft fleet of the Força Aérea Brasileira (FAB), it has completed an initial step in the selection process of new multirole fighters.

The Management Committee of the Project F-X2 (CGPF-X2), instituted on May 15, 2008, led the evaluation studies of the preselected aircraft (Boeing F-18E/F Super Hornet, Dassault Rafale, Eurofighter Typhoon, Lockheed Martin F-16 Adv, Saab Gripen NG and Sukhoi SU-35) in order to produce a short-list at this stage of the process.

The short-list aims to guarantee that the operational requirements for the multirole fighter aircraft, as established by the Air Force General Staff, are met, and to allow the in-depth evaluation of the candidate weapon systems which have been down-selected.

The initial evaluation was based on information supplied by the companies in reply to the Request for Information (RFI) published in June 2008. The data provided by the manufacturers were systematically evaluated according to several criteria, including operational, logistic, technical, offsets and technology transfer to Brazil’s national industry.

In the coming phase of the selection process, evaluations will concentrate on the following aircraft that have been short-listed (in alphabetical order): Boeing (F-18E/F Super Hornet), Dassault Aviation (Rafale) and Saab (Gripen NG).

The 36 aircraft that make up the first batch must be delivered from 2014, and must have a useful operational life of at least 30 years. Thus, over the coming years, the air force will gradually replace the fighter aircraft currently in service: Mirage 2000, F-5M and A-1M.

The know-how and technological qualification acquired through this acquisition program will contribute to Brazil’s capability to produce, or to participate in the production, of 5th generation fighter aircraft in the medium and long term.

Finally, the Air Force Command points out that this process represents an important advance for its defence industry, with lasting consequences that will make possible long-term strategic partnerships.

The winning contender will be selected in the course of next year, as soon as the subsequent phases are concluded. (ends)