Saab CEO Disappointed : Gripen Jets Succumbing To F 35 Stealth Fighters Due To Politics

Saab CEO Disappointed : Gripen Jets Succumbing To F 35 Stealth Fighters Due To Politics

Johansson was speaking to reporters at Saab’s headquarters in Stockholm, Sweden, on August 26, during which he said that the signal-engine ‘Euro-canard’ has been struggling to meet the export expectations set out by his predecessors for the multirole fighter, noting that this was not a reflection on the quality of the aircraft but was instead because of political reasons.

“It is extremely frustrating, to say the least, and I can say that it is not about the [Gripen] product that we have developed and manufactured. If it had been a completely level playing field in terms of not talking about security, politics, and other areas, then I think we would have been much better off [in terms of securing sales],” Johansson said.

String Of Failures For Saab
Johansson’s remarks came against the backdrop of repeated failure of its latest Gripen E/F range fighter jet in international sales campaigns against the American-made fifth-generation F-35 aircraft.

The latest instance of Gripen’s failure was in July when the Czech Republic opted to buy 24 F-35 fighter jets, turning down the Gripen E offered by Sweden, even though the Czech military already operates 14 Gripen C/D jets acquired from Sweden on a lease that is due to end in 2027.

Currently, the primary task for the Czech Gripen fleet is air defense but the Czech Republic’s growing insecurity, particularly after the Russian invasion of Ukraine, calls for a more capable fighter.

Although Saab’s pitch was more cost-effective, Czech politicians and military leaders were already leaning towards the American stealth fighter jet.

“Our decision to select this option is based on the analysis by the Czech Armed Forces, which clearly articulates that only the most advanced 5th-generation fighters will be able to meet mission requirements in future battlefields,” Jana Černochová, the Czech Defense Minister, said.