Posted on 12/03/2010 12:33:58 PM PST by sukhoi-30mki
WikiLeaks, Weaklings And Weasels
Posted by Bill Sweetman at 12/3/2010 10:37 AM CST
WikiLeaks cables show that US officials recommended delaying export approvals for a new Raytheon radar in order to undercut the Saab Gripen NG's chances in Norway, before the country's December 2008 decision to acquire the Joint Strike Fighter. The cables were originally reported (and linked) by Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet.
The original Norwegian decision surprised and puzzled observers, both because of its tough repudiation of the Gripen and because of the $52 million quoted price of the JSF - which was a reach in 2008 and now appears ludicrous, with the US estimating $92 million in base-year dollars and Lockheed Martin hoping for $60 million flyaway (really a tow-away, because the engine is extra).
US officials, including then deputy defense secretary Gordon England, also warned the Norwegian government that "the choice of aircraft will have an impact on the bilateral relationship" between the two countries - but the second-in-command at Norway's defense ministry asked the US government to deny that any political pressure had been applied.
Along the way, US ambassador to Norway Benson Whitney dismissed then Norwegian defense minister Anne-Grete Strom-Erichsen as "weak", and, while describing her subordinate Espen Barth Eide as "regarded as the force which steers the defense ministry", added that "very senior US officials... characterized Barth Eide as 'weasily' [sic]".
According to documents, Swedish defense minister Sten Tolgfors met with Michael Wood, US ambassador to Sweden, in June 2008 to discuss the possibility of adapting a Raytheon active electronically scanned array (AESA) for Gripen NGs in the Nordic region. At the time, Saab had an agreement with Thales to use that company's AESA technology in the Gripen Demo prototype but had not made a decision about a production configuration.
Wood had previously reviewed the request, on which Sweden expected a decision in September, but on July 9 advised the Defense Department to put the request on hold until Norway had made its decision.
Meanwhile, in Oslo, Whitney and other officials were becoming increasingly concerned about the Gripen's chances of upsetting the JSF - "very senior contacts are said to believe that the government of Norway is likely to choose the Gripen" - but dismissed most pro-Gripen arguments as "myth". Meanwhile, "other contacts, primarily in the MoD, have reassured us that the MoD will recommend the F-35." Whitney called for support from Gordon England and others.
By the end of October, Whitney was thanking Washington and USAF Europe commander Gen. Roger Brady for their support, with Barth Eide reported as telling Brady to "trust the process.., do not overplay your hand."
But after the decision was announced, Barth Eide told US officials that "it would be very helpful if the USG were to... confirm that there was no USG political pressure to buy the plane."
Right. No pressure at all. And good luck with that $52 million.
I see no problem with the US government acting in the interests of US industry. Far from being upset about this, I’m upset that it hasn’t happened long before this.
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