Article Posted on : - Dec 20, 2013

Saab JAS 39E Gripen. Photo: Saab.

STOCKHOLM (BNS): The Brazilian government has selected the Saab JAS 39E Gripen for its Air Force.

Sweden's Saab won the multi-billion dollar contract to supply Brazilian Air Force with 36 new fighter aircraft by edging out French and US contenders in the competition.

Saab's Gripen NG was in competition with the Rafale made by France's Dassault company and Boeing's F/A-18 fighter from US for the FX-2 air force replacement programme.

The total value of the contract is estimated at $4.5 billion including Gripen NG, sub-systems for Gripen NG, an extensive technology transfer package, a financing package as well as long term bi-lateral collaboration between the Brazilian and Swedish Governments.

The contract is expected to be finalised by December 2014, with the first aircraft to arrive four years later. The contract is to be complete by 2023.

"Saab regards the announcement as a strong commitment of the Brazilian Government and we are looking forward to provide the Brazilian Air Force with the world-leading and most affordable fighter," Saab CEO Håkan Buskhe, was quoted as saying in the company news release.

The Gripen NG is capable of performing an extensive range of air-to-air, air-to-surface and reconnaissance missions. Munitions include various missiles, laser-guided bombs, and a single 27 mm Mauser BK-27 cannon.

The countries which operate Gripen aircraft are Sweden, South Africa, Hungary, Czech Republic, Thailand and the UK Empire Test Pilot School (ETPS). Switzerland has also selected Gripen as a future fighter jet.