JAS-39 Gripen

Valor - 09.11.2010

Fiesp bet that Lula will opt for Swedish fighter

"We are convinced that the best proposal for transfer of technology is the Gripen, we agree with FAB" Representatives of the industries of the Brazilian aeorespacial believe the decision of President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, on the choice of new fighter aircraft of the Air Force (FAB) will be favorable to the Swedish Gripen.

"The Brazilian industry is convinced that the best aircraft and the best proposal for transfer of technology is the Gripen. Our vision is extremely pragmatic and coincided with the Brazilian Air Force," said Jairo Candido, director of the Department of Industry Defense (Comdefesa), the Federation of Industries of São Paulo (FIESP).

According to Candide, if the domestic industry that will host the technology to be transferred by the new fighters, it makes sense that her opinion is not taken into account. "President Lula and President-Elect, Rousseff, profound knowledge of the industry's position on the issue of Brazilian fighters and were very knowledgeable about the impact of this choice on the future development of the sector," he said.

Besides aerospace industry and FAB, the Swedish fighter also has the preference of the ABC Metalworkers Union, the National Confederation of Metalworkers (CNM-CUT) and the Mayor of São Bernardo do Campo (SP), Luiz Marinho, who signed in April this year, a statement in support of the union movement to the purchase of Swedish fighters by government. The statement was delivered to President Lula in order to strengthen the lobby for the Swedish company Saab, which makes the Gripen.

Qatar Targets 2012 Fighter Decision

Nov 8, 2010
By Robert Wall

LONDON - The competition to supply a new fighter to the Qatar Emiri Air Force (QEAF) is now formally underway.

Evaluation of program candidates has begun, the service’s commander, Brig. Gen. Mubarak Bin Mohammed Al-Khayarin, tells the Shephard Air Power Middle East conference here. The goal is to make a type selection before the end of 2012.

The size of the program is still under discussion, with 24-36 fighters likely to be acquired. The aircraft would replace Dassault Mirage 2000-5s.

The service is evaluating a broad spectrum of aircraft, including the Lockheed Martin F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet and F-15, Eurofighter Typhoon and Dassault Rafale, says Al-Khayarin. Saab officials note they also have entered the competition.

Qatar’s is only one of several military aircraft contests in the region. The United Arab Emirates’ effort to buy a new fighter appears open again, after an apparent impasse between front-runner Dassault and the government following prolonged negotiations. The UAE has signaled interest in the F/A-18E/F, with European officials also believing the type selection is again in play.

Likewise, Oman, Kuwait and Bahrain remain potential buyers of new aircraft.
Meanwhile, discussions continue between the U.K. and Saudi Arabia regarding a follow-on purchase of Typhoons on top of the 72 already on order.