Gripen-Handbook-2014-k

Gripen Handbook
6 Saab’s CEO Håkan Buskhe: We can and we will
8 This is Gripen E
10 Gripen E: The most important features
12 Six users rely on Gripen
14 How the multi-role concept evolved
16 Saab Chief Test Pilot: Master of the skies
18 Our philosophy is unique
20 Gripen E: Just a few steps away
22 A Griffin in the Swiss Alps
24 Strategy expert Albert A. Stahel: Why does a nation need an air force?
26 Former Commander Markus Gygax: A modern air force is vital
28 Sweden’s Minister for Defence: A win-win partnership
30 Gripen is combat-proven
32 Gripen in action
34 Sweden’s Social Democrats: We can’t stand still
36 How Swiss industry gains from Gripen
40 Chairman Marcus Wallenberg: We are committed to partnership
42 Contact us

We can and we will
Saab CEO reiterates our commitment to Switzerland
Dear reader,
The decision to buy a new fighter is always
an important one for the country concerned.
It’s about security, the future, and financial
viability. When delivered, Gripen E will be
at the forefront of technology, using the latest
state-of-the-art technology, systems and
equipment and providing the latest
operational capabilities.
Saab is an aviation, defence and security
company that was founded over 75 years ago
and has produced some 5,000 aircraft. While
the aeronautics business is important, having
accounted for 30 percent of the order backlog
by the end of 2012, we are not solely dependent
on its product range.
We have always kept our promises, and if you
talk to our clients around the world they will
tell you how satisfied they are. Saab is a strong
company with a world-leading industrial
portfolio. We believe in long-term customer
satisfaction and a sustainable future rather
than short-term profit.
The Swedish Government and Parliament have
given their resounding support for the Gripen
system, and the E version in particular, will
form the backbone of the Swedish Air Force
for at least the next 30 years. Gripen E is the
logical continuation of the evolving Gripen
product that began in the 1980s. Saab’s design
philosophy has consistently produced the most
modern fighters of the day.
Saab also knows the importance of creating
industrial participation throughout all regions
of Switzerland and transferring knowledge.
We guarantee that we will create offset business
equal to 100 percent of the Saab contract value.
This is a promise that we will keep. So let’s
work together. Don’t hold back if you have
any questions for us.
I look forward to cooperating with you.
Håkan Buskhe,
President and CEO, Saab AB
President & CEO Håkan Buskhe
Gripen E will offer
the most up-to-date
technology available.”
Håkan Buskhe
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This is Gripen E
Smarter and more capable
Gripen NG test aircraft
In November 2011 the Swiss Government
decided that Gripen E was the preferred
aircraft for the future needs of the Swiss Air
Force. When it is delivered in 2018, it will be
one of the most modern fighters available
on the market. Switzerland plans to procure
22 aircraft, and the Swedish Air Force has
ordered 60 Gripen E, making the aircraft
the backbone of its air defence.
This jet is not an unknown quantity. Rather, it
is a logical continuation of the proven earlier
Gripen systems. Saab has developed its aircraft
in small, manageable and financially viable
steps. We are currently testing a twin-seater
model called Gripen NG (New Generation) test
aircraft. In October 2012, people in Switzerland
saw the NG test aircraft for the first time, flown
by Swiss and Swedish pilots during the Air Force
live fire event, Axalp 2012.
Gripen E improves on the performance of
Gripen C: it offers extended range and stays
in the air for longer. The landing gear has
been relocated from the fuselage to the wing,
allowing it to carry more internal fuel and
enable the addition of two pylon stations to
carry either extra radar-guided Meteor missiles,
other weapons or additional fuel tanks. A more
powerful engine provides more thrust, enabling
greater acceleration and the ability to use less
fuel at supersonic speeds. It can sustain such
speeds without the help of an afterburner.
A modern Active Electronically Scanned Array
(AESA) radar is built into Gripen E’s nose cone.
This active sensor is augmented by a passive
Infrared Search and Track sensor (IRST). The
AESA radar has a long range and a wide angle
of detection and can even look backwards, while
the IRST is a completely passive sensor, allowing
Gripen E to detect targets without emitting
energy. The new aircraft offers a revolutionary
state-of-the-art avionics system, more
powerful computers, and fast new
communications systems.
The Swedish Air Force denomination for Gripen
is JAS 39 Gripen. JAS stands for “Jakt, Attack
och Spaning” – meaning that it’s a fighter
aircraft (air-to-air combat), attack aircraft
(air-to-ground) and a reconnaissance aircraft
all in one.
A genuine multi-role aircraft, air forces can
prioritise whichever function is relevant to
them for a particular mission. In peacetime for
example, it is mainly used in air policing roles.
One of Gripen E’s special qualities is that it can
change its role at the push of a button while in
flight, provided it carries the right equipment.
This makes it an extremely modern, flexible and
cost-effective aircraft.
Saab has therefore managed to break the trend
of fighters being more and more expensive, by
producing a more capable aircraft at a lower
cost. Smart solutions that intelligently combine
hardware and software have been used to
create the Gripen E. New functionality can be
introduced to the aircraft by installing new
software, and hardware components can be
changed without affecting the rest of the aircraft.
This is more cost effective and means that
updates and upgrades can be performed much
more quickly. Increasingly, we make use of
widely available Commercial Off The Shelf
(COTS) components, negating the expensive
process of developing everything ourselves.
Maintenance is also state-of-the-art.
For example, turning around a Gripen in
preparation for a fighter mission takes less than
10 minutes for a conscript crew, and if needed,
the engine can be replaced and the aircraft
can be airborne again within an hour.
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Gripen E
The most important features
1 New avionics concept: safety critical and
mission functions are seperated from each
other. This allows mission functions to
be upgraded rapidly without having to
re-test safety critical functions. In addition,
modularisation enables integration of
customer programmes and software.
Extensive growth potential in computer
capacity. Using off the shelf components
from third party suppliers reduces the risk of
the system becoming obsolete, and ensures
costs are kept low.
2 Additional internal fuel tanks: increases
range, gives the ability to remain in the air
for longer, and allows the aircraft to carry
more external weapons and stores.
3 Air-air refuelling probe.
4 A wider and longer body with the landing
gear placed further out: allows the aircraft
to carry more stores under the fuselage.
Enhances air-to-air combat in particular.
5 Human-machine interface: gives the pilot
extremely good situation awareness, and also
helps in analysing the tactical situation
and the possible lines of action, thereby
supporting the pilot’s decision making.
6 10 external hardpoints: for carrying
air-to-air and air-to-surface weapons,
surveillance pods and targeting pods, and
additional fuel tanks.
7 Powerful engine – General Electric’s
F414G: the same as used by the
U.S. Super Hornet.
8 Latest generation Active Electronically
Scanned Array (AESA) radar system
produced by Selex ES. With an
upgraded ability to follow different
targets, it provides a higher range and
angle coverage and is more resistant to
disruptive enemy action.
9 Passive infrared search and track system
(IRST): can detect targets by their heat
signature, allowing Gripen to attain early
situation awareness without emitting its
own radar energy.
10 Comprehensive electronic warfare
self-defence system.
8
9
5
1
3
2
4
6
7
10
10
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Six users rely on Gripen
Gripen is in service with the Swedish, Czech,
Hungarian, South African and Royal Thai Air Forces.
The UK Empire Test Pilots’ School operates Gripen
for test pilots worldwide. Brazil has also opted for
Gripen. Saab has delivered successful industrial
cooperation in Hungary and South Africa and
continues to do so in the Czech Republic.
Four-aircraft Gripen formation over northern Sweden

How the multi-role concept evolved
First it was challenging threats, then challenging budgets
Throughout the Cold War, non-aligned
Sweden felt threatened by the Soviet Union. In
the case of war it would face an overwhelming
force from the Warsaw Pact. As it could not
muster a similar number of troops, warships
and aircraft to counter this, Sweden needed
a smart philosophy.
During the 1960s the Swedish Air Force adopted
an operational concept that involved having a large
number of dispersed airbases where the aircraft
could be hidden when they were not airborne.
This was complemented with an extensive chain of
air surveillance radars along the eastern borders of
the country, integrated with an efficient network of
command posts for rapid reaction and
ground-controlled interception.
With 55 squadrons operational, one of the world’s
most impressive air forces at this time, the Swedish
fighters stood constantly on Quick Reaction Alert
(QRA) around the clock, ready to be airborne
within 60 seconds if needed. The aircraft used
were mainly versions of the Saab 32 Lansen
and the Saab 35 Draken.
“Already then it was identified that it would be
more cost-efficient if each aircraft could carry out
several roles and at the same time reduce
the maintenance cost by operating a unified fleet
of common design,” says Bengt Littke, Senior
Advisor, Gripen Export. As an example, the
conceptual study for the Saab 37 Viggen, which
was being developed during the 60s and 70s,
resulted in the vision for a common-type aircraft.
The Viggen system eventually matured into four
operational versions. Each of them had a clearly
defined secondary role.
“Early in the studies for the Gripen fighter, it was
realised that advances in electronics now enabled
the design of avionics that could fully support the
vision of a multi-role aircraft,”
says Littke. “This enabled any aircraft in the
fleet to carry out fighter, fighter-bomber or
reconnaissance missions.”
The multi-role Gripen and its increased
capabilities allowed fewer aircraft to meet the same
threats. A lot of effort was also put into creating a
robust design that reduced failures to a minimum
and allowed for easy and rapid maintenance of
the aircraft.
Adapting to budget constraints, the Swedish Air
Force recently decided to consolidate and optimise
its operations. With the closure of airbases, they
needed an aircraft with greater operational range
and more advanced capabilities – and so
Gripen E was born.
In 1987 during the cold war,
4,270 Warsaw pact aircraft
were based within
15 minutes east
of sweden
SIPRI
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Master of the skies
No other fighter can be controlled so easily and precisely
“I have flown about 40 different fighters
and none of them obey me as precisely
as this one,” says Richard Ljungberg,
Chief Test Pilot at Saab.
“Gripen is like skiing with carving skis, while
flying other aircraft is like skiing with the old
traditional downhill skis.”
Ljungberg has worked as a test pilot since 1998,
first for FMV, the Swedish Defence Material
Administration, and then for Saab from 2004.
He has flown all versions of Gripen, from A
to D through to today’s two-seater Gripen NG
test aircraft. “Flying is one thing, but flying a
mission is something else,” he explains. “Every
pilot needs to train for missions. Because Gripen
is so responsive and easy to fly, the pilot can
concentrate fully on performing the mission.”
In a modern fighter jet, there is an enormous
amount of information for the pilot to deal
with. But Gripen offers significant advantages.
Ljungberg – who has 2,800 flight hours under
his belt – explains further: “The cockpit
computer only shows me the information at
the specific time that it is needed. I never feel
overloaded and can concentrate fully on
my task.”
“If I’m flying an attack mission for example, I
don’t need to know anything about the hydraulic
system or the standby instruments. As a result,
the pilot becomes more confident and the
aircraft becomes more efficient.”
In addition, if a system fails, the backup system
pops up digitally on the display. This means that
the display area is used to maximise the chance
of mission success.
Ljungberg, who has flown all over the world,
would not want to miss flying in the Swiss
Alps. “They have an unrivalled beauty. Flying
around the mountaintops above a sea of fog and
then diving into it, is usually a pure adrenaline
experience. Not so much with a Gripen,
however, since I know that I can rely on it
completely,” he says with a smile.
Saab Chief Test Pilot Richard Ljungberg
I have flown about 40
different fighter jets and
none of them obey
me as precisely as
this one.”
Richard Ljungberg
View from Fronalpstock toward Urner Lake
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Gripen mechanics carry a great responsibility
Today the assembly team
does its work completely
independently without
outside supervision.”
Matti Olsson
Matti Olsson, responsible for
the Gripen E production strategy
Our philosophy is unique
How Gripen became better and inexpensive over time
“We sometimes take international clients to
Swedish Air Force exercises at bases in the
Swedish countyside,” says Matti Olsson,
Head of Strategic & Business Development
Production. “I love going along, since it is
when I see the most astounded faces.”
“We do this to show them Gripen’s unique
capabilities. In these situations we sometimes
replace the engine of a Gripen to prove
ease of maintenance and short turnaround
time. This is done by the everyday Air Force
maintenance staff. Our guests usually roll their
eyes, preparing themselves for hours of being
patient as they await the result. As far as they
are concerned, replacing an engine is a time
consuming task. But not with Gripen. Within
an hour we’re done – quite to the surprise of
our guests,” laughs Olsson.
He tells this anecdote to show how Saab thinks.
By the mid-1980s and the end of the Cold War,
it was obvious that future defence budgets would
be less generous, so Saab intensified its efforts to
make the fighter even smarter. After all, it had to
distinguish itself from competitors in the
big producer nations.
By following this design philosophy through
the entire production process, purchasing and
operational costs have been kept lower than for
twin-engine fighters. The smart approach and
the smooth interaction of hardware and software
make Gripen E superior to its competitors in
terms of performance. Gripen E’s flight and
mission-critical software systems are kept
completely separate from each other. Changing
one component does not affect the others or
the aircraft as a whole – allowing updates
to be implemented faster and cheaper.
Production is also efficient. Olsson explains:
“In earlier times mechanics needed to call
quality control after every screw they put in.
Today the assembly team is trained to be
independent, to perform quality checks
themselves, without outside supervision.
The aircraft is only approved at the
very end. This has saved time.”
Thanks to this production philosophy,
flight critical or mission critical safety is
never compromised.
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Gripen E – just a few steps away
How Saab continuously evolves its fighter jet
“In contrast to its competitors, Saab has
always enhanced its aircraft on a continuous
basis,” says Richard Smith, Campaign
Director for Switzerland, Saab. As a result
the aircraft is always up to date, satisfying
the evolving needs of its customers.
In addition, upgrades are relatively small,
which makes them easier to manage and keeps
spending under control. This is certainly the
case with Gripen E. “It’s new, but we still know
what we’re getting,” says Smith.
After the tests in 2008, with an early version of a
Gripen C, Saab identified 98 improvements for
the future of Gripen. 34 percent of the list was
implemented in a later C model and another 20
percent in today’s C model. An additional 39
percent has been implemented in today’s
Gripen NG test aircraft.
“The remaining 7 percent will be fulfilled in
Gripen E before delivery with ongoing
integration conducted to an agreed schedule.”
The Swedish Government granted Saab
a development budget in February 2013,
allowing the company to make Gripen E ready
for serial production. Sweden and Switzerland
will buy the same version. armasuisse will
monitor all development phases closely,
ensuring that Swiss needs are met.
armasuisse plans to buy Gripen E at a fixed
price. In addition to the cost of the Saab fighters,
it will buy materials and services from other
suppliers. All this adds up to a total cost of
3.126 billion francs.
Even after Gripen E is delivered to Switzerland
in 2018, Gripen’s evolution will continue. But
Switzerland will only have to contribute the cost
of future upgrades that it wants for itself.
“When we say upgrades, we mean that if new,
more advanced, more efficient equipment is
available, then we look at implementing it. It is
important to stay at the forefront of technology
as this maintains the operational edge needed
by a modern air force,” says Smith.
South African Gripen pilots on their way to a mission
In contrast to its
competitors, Saab has
always enhanced
its aircraft on a
continous basis.”
Richard Smith
Gripen Campaign Director Richard Smith
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A Griffin in the Swiss Alps
Gripen is the Swedish word for Griffin, a mythical creature
with the head of an eagle and the body of a lion. The Griffin
is also the main element of the Saab logotype. This picture
shows Gripen in front of the Matterhorn. An armasuisse pilot
sits in the front of the cockpit and a Saab test pilot sits in
the back. In a report by Swiss TV, the Swiss pilot says:
“I have to praise the versatility of Gripen’s capabilities,
both in peacetime as well as in periods of tension and
conflict. It complements the existing F/A-18 in an ideal way.”
Gripen NG test aircraft in front of the Matterhorn, October 2012

Guest article
Why does a nation need an air force?
International law and global threats determine our safety
Albert A. Stahel is a professor for strategic
studies at the University of Zurich. He
explains his view on the need of an
army and an air force in modern times.
The world’s security situation is determined by
financial crisis, conflict and war. There is an
economic crisis in Southern Europe, chaos in
Libya, unrest in Egypt, and war in Syria. Tehran
challenges world powers, and in the Western
Pacific tension between China and the USA
increases, closely watched by Japan, South Korea
and the Philippines.
Quite apart from that, industrial countries
are faced by other threats too. These include
terrorism and cyber-war. While the USA has
scored some successes in recent years in the
fight against international terrorism, cyberattacks
have increased all over the world. They
have become a method for organised crime to
pursue its aims. In European countries the fight
against organised crime is conducted by national
police forces in collaboration with Europol.
In such an unstable international environment,
every state must implement the principle of
international law. A state consists of three
elements: its territory, its citizens and its
government. It can only exist if its government
can protect its territory and people with
armed forces.
If it can’t, the international community
will deem this country to be a failed state.
These rules apply to Switzerland too. If the
Swiss government wants to maintain the claim
that Switzerland is a properly functioning,
independent state within Europe, it will have to
maintain all the resources of a proper army and
use these to protect and control Switzerland’s
territory. This territory includes the airspace
above Switzerland. The Swiss Army is only
credible if it has an air force of its own that
can control Swiss skies.
There is a symbiosis between the state, its army
and its air force. Without this, Switzerland’s
existence and credibility will be called into
question. Switzerland’s reputation as a safe
place for investment would vanish, and there
could well be an exodus of foreign investors
and capital from the country.
Professor Albert A. Stahel
A state can only exist if
it can protect its
territory and
its people with
armed forces.”
Albert A. Stahel
Gripen pilots during a briefing
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Guest article
A modern air force is vital
Why Gripen is the right choice
Markus Gygax, Commander of the Swiss
Air Force from 2008 to 2012, played a major
role in evaluating Gripen. Here he describes
the Air Force’s responsibilities and
explains why Gripen was chosen.
Military conflicts of recent years show
that a successful army needs a modern air
force, otherwise it would be substantially
disadvantaged. The army has to provide a broad
range of services if it is to ensure Switzerland’s
security. For its part, the Air Force must ensure
our sovereignty in the air – which includes
such tasks as monitoring, air policing and,
if necessary, defence of the airspace.
Switzerland’s airspace is small, so it doesn’t get
much early warning. In case of an escalating
ongoing conflict, when you need to intervene
immediately, four aircraft must be in the air at
any time. This places heavy demands on the fleet
and requires a minimum number of aircraft.
The 54 Tiger fighter jets we have used for the
last 30 years no longer meet modern operational
requirements. The F/A-18s perform very well
but with only 32 of them, the fleet is too small to
protect our airspace permanently over a longer
timescale. In the case of a specific threat, our 32
F/A-18s could protect and control Swiss airspace
for a maximum of 3 weeks – it’s essentially a
question of endurance and credibility.
During this aircraft procurement process it is
vital to ensure that the quality, quantity and
military capability match modern European
standards. We need fighters that are state-ofthe-art
but that are also affordable to buy and
maintain. Gripen E fulfils these criteria.
The main factor for successful aircraft
deployments is no longer the speed of the
aircraft, but the fact that it has powerful
weapons, and that it features the very latest
radar and sensors. With the next generation
Gripen we will be getting an aircraft that
meets our requirements. We also get the
overall package we require, with the necessary
adjustments to infrastructure included
in the price.
Should the purchase of the fighters fail, we
would have less endurance, security and trust.
Gripen communicates efficiently with other
aircraft and with the ground forces
Markus Gygax, former commander
of the Swiss Air Force
the f/a-18 fleet is tOo small
to protect our air
space over a longer
period of time.”
Markus Gygax
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Swedish fighters (Gripen E/F test aircraft in the foreground
and Gripen D in the background) above the Swedish coastline
Swedish Minister for Defence Karin Enström
There will be many
opportunities for
cooperation
between our
nations’ air forces.”
Karin Enström
A win-win partnership
Sweden’s Minister for Defence Karin Enström talks about Gripen
The purchase of Gripen is a government
to government affair. In August 2012 the
Swedish Defence and Security Export
Agency, FXM, and armasuisse signed a
framework agreement that set out
the basics.
Sweden and Switzerland will together
procure Gripen E, which will be beneficial
for both countries.
The Swedish Parliament has given their approval
for the armed forces to buy Gripen and the
government has subsequently decided on
the procurement of 60 aircraft. In February
2013, FMV, the Swedish Defence Material
Administration, signed an agreement with
Saab worth 6.9 billion francs.
It allows Saab to put Gripen E into production
and includes the delivery of 60 fighters for
Sweden and 22 fighters for Switzerland
(assuming that the country does indeed go
ahead with the purchase). This will include
mission-specific equipment as well as support
and maintenance equipment.
Sweden’s Karin Enström strongly believes
in the country’s need for an effective air force:
“Because of today’s security situation, Sweden
needs armed forces that can both defend
Swedish territory and allow us to participate in
international missions. The armed forces need to
be capable of meeting such challenges, and this
means having an air force that others respect
and that we can trust to fulfil its missions. Our
investment in the next generation of Gripen
will strengthen our future air defences.”
With two industrialised countries of similar
sizes working together, Karin Enström sees
advantages for both of them: “This is a win-win
partnership. It will give Switzerland and Sweden
the chance to acquire a highly advanced fighter
aircraft at a lower cost, and create synergies
in areas such as training, operations and
logistics. There will be many opportunities for
cooperation between our nations’ air forces.”
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Gripen is combat-proven
The Swedish and Czech Air Forces on Gripen
The Swedish Air Force proved itself in battle
as part of the NATO mission over Libya,
participating in reconnaissance missions
and in securing the no-fly zone.
Eight of Sweden’s Gripen were armed and ready
for combat if attacked. The information they
delivered was crucial for combat missions
flown by other aircraft.
The Swedish Air Force flew 40 percent of the
reconnaissance missions during the conflict.
Over the course of 650 deployments and nearly
2,000 hours of flying it captured 150,000 images.
Canada’s Lieutenant General Charles Bouchard,
who commanded the intervention in Libya,
said: “Swedish reconnaissance was the
best in the coalition.”
“Our aircraft proved fully compatible with the
international forces’ equipment,” says Micael
Bydén, Swedish Air Force Chief of Staff. “It was
very well integrated into all systems and we were
a full partner of the combined forces. Avionics
and equipment were equal to those of the others.”
Reflecting on the experience he adds: “like
Switzerland, we have decided to be solely
responsible for the protection of our own
airspace. We have succeeded very well with
Gripen so far. We can train our own personnel,
take care of our own maintenance and take off
and land almost everywhere in the country. The
Swedish Air Force is also a voice heard by Saab
when it comes to future developments.”
The Czech Air Force also operates Gripen.
It has twelve Gripen C and two Gripen D
(two-seaters). “This is not enough to fulfil all
our missions,” states Jiří Verner, Czech Air Force
Commander. “So we have to prioritise. Currently
we only undertake air policing tasks. We are
ready at any time, 24/7”.
Verner likes Gripen not only for its flight
performance and avionics, but also because
it’s a complete system. The radar, sensors,
weapons, training and maintenance all work
smoothly together. Even the pilot’s suit, helmet
and underwear are part of the system, which
has a positive influence on cost and operational
performance. “I would also like to stress our
great cooperation within Gripen user countries,”
Verner says.
In the meantime, Czech pilots gained so much
experience that they were asked to fly air
policing missions in the Baltic region during
2009 and 2012, with four aircraft and 67 and 64
airmen respectively. Further such missions are
also planned over Iceland in 2014.
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Swedish Air Force Chief of Staff
Micael Bydén
From desert to Arctic:
Gripen performs in all climates
We like Gripen for being
a complete system.”
Jiří Verner
We have succeeded
very well with
Gripen so far.”
Micael Bydén
Czech Air Force Commander
Jiří Verner

Gripen in action
//UNCLASSIFIED//
The Czech Air Force has performed several
air policing missions over the Baltic States.
Estonia, Lithuania and Latvia don’t have their
own air policing capabilities, so other NATO
members rotate responsibilities.
Libyan SA-2 SAM site.
Photo taken by JAS 39 GRIPEN.
5 0 5 10 15 metres

Gripen NG test aircraft above Sweden
Head of the Security Committee
Peter Hultqvist
We need the new aircraft
because of the way the
operating environment
has evolved.”
Peter Hultqvist
We can’t stand still
Why Sweden’s Social Democrats favour Gripen
Sweden has been ruled by a center-right
government since 2006. However, when it
comes to the Gripen programme, both the
government and the leading opposition party
are in broad agreement.
Their views may differ in detail, but there is a
general consensus about the need for an effective
air force and thus for the Gripen programme.
This is not just because of the desire to preserve
jobs in high tech sectors, says Peter Hultqvist, a
leading Social Democrat and Chairman of the
Defence Committee in the Swedish Parliament.
He explains what potential military threats
Sweden faces today and in the future now that
the Cold War is long over. “There is no acute
threat, but there are still things like Russia’s
ambition to develop its military capability.”
“The Gripen programme serves to keep our
military strength intact. There is a lot of gas and
oil transportation in the Baltic Sea, and various
nations are becoming more and more interested
in the Arctic region. Despite cooperation with
other countries we still need the military.”
Hultqvist explains that the aircraft production
that started before the Second World War also
continued during the Cold War. This ensured
that the nation would always have fighters that
met its needs. “That’s the case in this latest
round too. What Gripen E offers is what
our Air Force needs and it is also the most
cost-effective option,” he states.
The Social Democrats are Sweden’s leading
opposition party. But there’s no major sign of
disagreement to the centre-right government’s
plans for Gripen. Hultqvist explains why not.
“The Swedish Air Force has been flying Saab
aircraft for more than 70 years. The Social
Democrats have always been in favour of
developing the Swedish Air Force.”
“We are now supporting Gripen E. We need the
new aircraft because of the way the operating
environment has evolved. Other countries
are also modernising their air forces. Russia
especially is doing a lot at the moment.
We can’t stand still.”
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How Swiss industry gains from Gripen
Offset deals will be worth 100 percent of the contract value
A lot of terms are used to describe the
same thing: offset, industrial cooperation,
compensatory business or, indeed, Swiss
industrial cooperation.
When a state procures defence goods on the
international market instead of at home, there
is a potential loss in sales for Swiss companies.
Therefore industrial cooperation, based on
competitive grounds, ensures that the Swiss
economy also benefits from such a procurement.
It creates business, knowledge and/or
technology transfer for Swiss companies.
In this case it means that Saab and its partner
companies are to enter into business deals with
Swiss companies that are worth at least
2.2 billion francs. Saab can sign direct contracts
with Swiss companies, or can arrange thirdparty
deals through partners and other firms
to create new market and export opportunities.
The suppliers of the Gripen E weapon systems
are responsible for an additional 300 million
francs, making the total obligation
2.5 million francs.
A distinction is made between “direct” and
“indirect” industrial participation. If Saab
arranges for Gripen components to be made
by a Swiss company, this counts as direct
cooperation. If such a Swiss company is
producing the same components for a third
party customer to Saab this is also counted
under direct industrial cooperation.
If Saab or other companies do non-Gripen
related business, it is called indirect cooperation.
This type of business consists mainly of
industrial and infrastructure contracts, energy
and environmental projects, technology transfer
and joint research & development activities.
“Direct cooperation makes even more sense
if it helps to create production capacity in
Switzerland and if knowledge is transferred”,
says Lennart Sindahl, Head of Saab Business
Area Aeronautics. “The aim is for Switzerland to
be able to maintain its fighters as autonomously
as possible, as well as to increase the value of
the Gripen system. Saab will award design,
development and production of significant
parts of the Gripen E fuselage to an industrial
consortium. Indirect deals however, will make
up the lion’s share of the total offset business.
armasuisse, in cooperation with the Offset
Office in Bern, assures that all requirements are
met. In line with armasuisse guidelines, Saab is
committed to delivering a regional distribution
of offset, with 5 percent in Italian-speaking, and
A Gripen fighter being painted
Lennart Sindahl, Head of Saab Aeronautics
Direct Cooperation
makes sense if it creates
Production capacity
and if knowledge is
transferred.”
Lennart Sindahl
36 Gripen Handbook Gripen Handbook 37

There are various opportunities for industrial participation
30 percent in French-speaking Switzerland.
At the same time, all compensation business
has to be purely based on competitive grounds.
This is because the business is designed to be
long-term and to strengthen Swiss industry.
Principles for industrial cooperation should
be evaluated well in advance in order to be
implemented as quickly as possible after the
Gripen E contract is signed. From this point
on, Saab and its partners, including Gripen
subcontractors, will have ten years to deliver.
“The aim of such deals is sustainable growth
through long-term partnership”, says Sindahl.
Saab has agreed with armasuisse to deliver
contracts worth 300 million francs before the
Gripen E contract is signed by the Swiss and
Swedish governments.
True to its word, by February 2014 Saab had
already arranged for business with 125 Swiss
companies, valued at 400 million francs. Many
of these companies are small and medium size
companies. But even when a contract goes to
a large company, Saab makes sure that this
company works together with smaller sized subsuppliers.
armasuisse has to date analysed and
accepted 247 million as offset transactions and
continues to investigate the remaining business.
How does industrial
cooperation work?
Saab’s intention is to support the competitiveness
of Swiss industry by inviting them to submit
quotations and proposals that eventually lead to
contracts in relation to the Gripen programme.
Saab will create business in Switzerland
by working under the following principles:
• Involve Swiss industry in the
Gripen programme
• Promote Swiss export using the
Saab industrial network
• Further include Swiss industry in the
supplier base of Saab and its partners
• Increase Swiss industry capabilities
and competitiveness via knowledge
and technology transfer
38 Gripen Handbook Gripen Handbook 39

We are committed to partnership
With 75 years of aviation history, Saab believes in a strong future
In the international context, Saab is a
medium-sized company. However, Marcus
Wallenberg, Chairman of the Board of Saab
AB, provides support for the company
that will be there for the whole of Gripen’s
lifecycle and beyond.
“Saab has been at the forefront of high-tech
manufacturing since its inception, and has 77
years of experience in the design, development
and production of advanced aircraft systems
– for Sweden as well as for international
customers,” he explains.
“With this experience comes a knowledge and
understanding of aircraft development and
production that allows us to believe that Saab
has excellent opportunities to progress further
as a fast-moving, customer focused, high-tech,
internationally oriented company.”
He goes on to point out that Saab’s strength
lies in its proven processes for delivering
high-quality solutions that are cost effective
to buy, operate and maintain, and which are
therefore competitive in a world where fiscal
and economic conditions remain uncertain.
The Wallenberg Foundations, backed by the
Wallenberg family, control 38.7 percent of Saab
through their investment company Investor AB,
Northern Europe’s largest industrial holding
company. The Investor portfolio also includes
ABB (energy), Atlas Copco (mining), Ericsson
(telecommunications), various medical and
pharmaceutical companies (AstraZeneca,
Mölnlycke Healthcare), as well as SEB
(banking) and Electrolux (white goods).
Setting out his commitment to Saab, Wallenberg
explains his long-term plans. “We have been
involved with Saab ever since it was founded
in the 1930s, and we continue to have a deep
commitment as the main owner of the company.
We have the financial stamina, the network
and the perspective that allows us to continue
believing in Saab.”
“I am also very proud that Sweden and
Switzerland are working together to explore
this opportunity for collaboration. Switzerland is
a very strong partner for Sweden and Saab, and
we will do all we can to make it a
successful partnership.”
Wallenberg highlights the fact that the Swedish
government has made a clear commitment to
becoming a strong, long-term strategic partner for
Switzerland. This commitment provides a solid
foundation for increased cooperation on several levels.
“The Swiss and Swedish have similar attitudes to
industrial efficiency and quality. Our two industrial
sectors should aim to establish a long-term collaborative
partnership to the benefit of both countries.
“Saab has a long history of successful industrial cooperation.
As part of the Investor business network and with an
extensive international supplier network, Saab has ample
resources when it comes to assisting its customers and
finding mutually beneficial business opportunities.”
We have the perspective
that allows us to
continue believing
in Saab.”
Marcus Wallenberg
Marcus Wallenberg,
Chairman of the Board of Saab AB
40 Gripen Handbook Gripen Handbook 41

Contact us
Saab AB
Effingerstr. 3
P.O. Box 7865
CH-3001 Bern
Visitors:
Effingerstr. 3
CH-3011 Bern
+41 31 312 07 07
Richard Smith, Gripen Switzerland Campaign Director
richard.smith@saabgroup.com +46 73 418 42 41
Henry Johansson, VP Gripen, Switzerland
henry.johansson@saabgroup.com +41 79 762 68 77
Mike Helmy, Gripen Switzerland Communications & Marketing Manager
mike.helmy@saabgroup.com +41 79 777 40 30
Peter Sjöström, Director Industrial Cooperation Switzerland
peter.sjostrom@saabgroup.com +41 79 545 72 39
Photography
armasuisse/Swiss Air
Froce (1, 22/23), Emiel
Sloot (12/13), Remo
Hediger (17, below),
South African Air Force
(21, top), Jamie Hunter
(28), Jan Cadil (32)
Useful addresses
armasuisse, competence centre for the procurement of
systems and equipment for the armed forces:
www.ar.admin.ch/internet/armasuisse/en/home.html
Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport:
www.vbs.admin.ch/internet/vbs/en/home.html
Swiss Air Force: www.lw.admin.ch/internet/luftwaffe/en/home.html
Swedish Ministry of Defence: www.government.se/sb/d/2060
FMV, the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration: www.fmv.se/en
FXM, Swedish Defence and Security Export Agency: www.fxm.se/en
The Swedish Air Force:
www.forsvarsmakten.se/en/our-organisation/our-forces/the-swedish-air-force
We thank everybody who agreed to be interviewed for this handbook.
All quotes reflect the personal opinions of their authors and may differ from Saab’s view point.
www.gripen.ch | www.saabgroup.com
© 2013/2014 Saab AB
www.gripen.ch | www.saabgroup.com