Gripen - Agreement in Norway

Gripen - Agreement in Norway

Today Norway and Saab, through Gripen International, have signed a Letter of
Agreement regarding the future development of the Gripen fighter. The total
value of this agreement is some 150 million Norwegian Kronor (approx. $25
million). This agreement strengthens Gripen's chances of being selected as the
future fighter aircraft for the Norwegian Air Force.

The Norwegian Defence Minister Anne-Grete Strøm-Erichsen and the Swedish Defence
Minister Mikael Odenberg, signed a Memorandum of Understanding on co-operation
in development work on the future versions of Gripen.

This agreement is an important step for Gripen as a candidate to be selected as
Norway's future fighter aircraft, which is planned to be in-service with the
Norwegian Air Force around 2015. Through this agreement, the Norwegian
authorities and Norwegian commercial companies will get an extensive
understanding and insight into the Gripen system, leading to Norwegian
participation in future development work in co-operation with Saab.

There was also a Letter of Agreement (LoA) signed between the Norwegian
authorities and the Saab subsidiary Gripen International. This agreement will
enable Norwegian companies to work on advanced development work in a range of
high technology areas, such as composites, communication systems, studies and
integration work for Norwegian weapon systems, ammunition, logistics and data
systems. The total value is worth some 150 million NOK for a period of two
years, with the option to further extend the agreement. At this time, Norwegian
companies will take part in an increased industrial cooperation connected to the
development of the future Gripen.

Gripen International Managing Director Johan Lehander is very positive about the
forthcoming co-operation:

“These two agreements clearly emphasise the importance the Norwegian government
puts in co-operation between Norway and Sweden. From a Saab perspective, it
means that we are now industrial partners. In the longer term, it also
strengthens the possibilities for Gripen to replace the current F- 16 fighter
aircraft in the Norwegian Air Force”, says Lehander.

Gripen is the first of the new generation, true multi-role combat aircraft to
enter service. Using the latest available technology it is capable of performing
an extensive range of air-to-air and air-to-surface operational missions and
employing the latest weapons. 

Gripen is designed to meet the demands of current and future threats, while at
the same time meeting strict requirements for flight safety, reliability,
training efficiency and low operating costs. Gripen is in service with the
Swedish, Hungarian and Czech Republic Air Forces and has also been ordered by
the South African Air Force. The UK Empire Test Pilots' School (ETPS) is
operating Gripen as its advanced fast jet platform for test pilots worldwide.

Gripen International is a subsidiary of Saab AB and acts as a prime contracting
organization, responsible for marketing, selling and supporting the Gripen
fighter worldwide. Gripen International combines the strength of its
international industrial partners, which are among the world's most experienced
and respected manufacturers of aerospace and defence equipment

Saab serves the global market with world-leading products, services and
solutions ranging from military defence to civil security. Saab has operations
and employees on all continents and constantly develops, adopts and improves new
technology to meet customers' changing needs.


For further information, please contact:
Owe Wagermark, Communications Director Gripen International
Tel +46 13 18 18 24, +46 734 181 824 
Peter Liander, Communications Director Norway, Gripen International
Tel +46 13 18 50 15, +46 734 185 015 
peter.liander@gripen.com 

www.saabgroup.com
www.gripen.com


Photographs and illustrations:
A selection of the very latest illustrations and photographs of Gripen are
available to download from our website www.gripen.com. Go to ‘Gripen Image
Base', New Photos