Norway may snub Lockheed, buy Gripen fighters

Reuters via Forbes.com ^ | April 28, 2004 | Inger Sethov

[anguish]

Norway may snub Lockheed, buy Gripen fighters

OSLO, April 28 (Reuters) - Norway is looking at the Anglo-Swedish Gripen combat jet to replace its U.S.-built F-16s because of disappointment over a lack of sub-contracts in developing a new U.S. fighter, a senior parliamentarian said on Wednesday.

Faced with a choice between continued loyalty to the United States as a NATO ally or switching to European partners, Norway has taken a stake in development of the Lockheed Martin Corp F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) but is also looking at the Eurofighter jet.

[blanknoone]

I hope that America responds with the same linkage...Norway, your role in the F-35 program is to lick the bottoms of my boots after stepping in dog Kerry.

[Willie Green]

OK, so who's getting ready to attack Norwegia? Sweden or Finland?

[Dead Dog]

That have this luxury since they will never use them.

[Cuttnhorse]

Second-best is all they need.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

Isn't the Gripen a pretty old design ? Has it been updated recently ?

[finnman69]

The Finns fly F-18C's and 'D's.

[finnman69]

In 1978 the Swedish Government decided that the Swedish Air Force needed a new multirole aircraft for the turn of the century. At the same time as the Swedish aerospace industry was defining a new project, the Air Force made an evaluation of existing foreign aircraft such as the American F-16 and F-18. After an evaluation process, Parliament decided in June 1982 to go ahead with the Swedish project and the Defence Materiel Administration signed a contract for development of the JAS 39 Gripen, and the final flight tests were completed in December of 1996. A total of 204 aircraft in three batches have been ordered for the Swedish Air Force. The first batch of 30 aircraft has been completed. Deliveries from the second batch are ongoing, and comprises 96 one-seater and 14 two-seater aircraft. About 60 Gripens are in service with the Swedish Air Force. In June 1997, a third batch of 64 Gripens was approved by the Swedish Government and ordered by the Defence Materiel Administration (FMV). This will take the total for the Swedish Air Force to 204 aircraft, including 28 two-seaters. Production of batch thre is scheduled for 2002-2007. Gripen offers high agility, advanced target acquisition systems - including a powerful multi-role radar, modern weapons, low environmental signatures and a comprehensive electronic warfare (EW) suite. The JAS39 Gripen system is designed to counter all current and future threats. The aircraft has been developed for the Swedish Air Force by the Industry Group JAS (SAAB, Ericsson, Volvo Aero and FFV Aerotech) in close co-operation with the Swedish Defence Material Administration (FMV). In partnership with Sweden’s Saab, British Aerospace is engaged in a number of marketing campaigns for the highly capable Gripen fourth generation combat aircraft. Engineering activity associated with improving the operability of the aircraft in the export market is now underway.

[finnman69]

[BJClinton]

To summarize, yeah, it's older. Maneuverability should be about the same but the F35 has super-cruise (super sonic flight without afterburners) and stealth. But the Gryphon is cheaper and sturdier.

[Eurotwit]

Well, Norwegian F-16's participated in both the Kosovo campaign as well as more recently in Afghanistan.

There are even reports that Norwegian fighters were responsible for the bombing that killed off some of Zawahiri's offspring.

That, said I hope we go with the JSF, but putting some pressure on Lockheed for contracts is just good business.

[Eurotwit]

Well, Norway is commited to the new Nato role with overseas interventions and is currently involved in Iraq and in Afghanistan.

Norwegian F-16's were on active bombing missions in Afghanistan.

[Eurotwit]

What is important to keep in mind is that this statement about considering the Gripen does not come from the government, but from a member of the opposition labour party.

A member of the government from the conservative party was just on the news and rubbished the claims.

That said, he acknowledged the desire for greater participation in the JSF project.

Cheers.

[TomB]

opinions?

[Eric in the Ozarks]

Uff da...

[Willie Green]

Well, Norway is commited to the new Nato role with overseas interventions and is currently involved in Iraq and in Afghanistan.

While Norway is to be highly commended for its participation in the war against terrorism, I would prefer to see such alliances be made on an ad hoc basis rather than as a permanent, global military police force.

[KC_for_Freedom]

That said, he acknowledged the desire for greater participation in the JSF project.

International sales are always a mess of "deals" there is nothing new here. I hope Norway gets enough business to satisfy them and that they get the advanced plane they really need.

Programs like JSF depend on a long life program and parts and spares and repairs for a long time to come. If the partnership breaks down, then costs go up for everybody and no one ends up happy.

[Little Ray]

Doesn't really matter. I know we'd like the contract, and it would make the JSF cheaper for us to buy, but the Swedes make a decent product; Draken, Viggen, Gripen. I don't think the Gripen is an equal to the JSF, but nobody's had to fight for air superiority for a while and the Gripen is a perfectly adequate multi-role aircraft.
Maybe we can sell Norway the jump jet version?
How much of an improvement over the F16 is it, though?

[Eurotwit]

The technical evaluation of the different platforms is waaay beyond my capability.

I would just trust the battle tested experience of Lockheed more than I would the Swedish consortium, and in my mind it is only appropriate to do such business with our most important ally, the United States.

And, lastly as a Norwegian it would paine me to buy anything from the Swedes.

Just ask Karl Rove :-)

[Dead Dog]

Your point is well taken.