The four-nation industry consortium responsible for the Eurofighter Typhoon has supported a decision to withdraw the type from EADS-led campaigns in Denmark and Norway, leaving the countries to choose between Lockheed Martin's F-35 Joint Strike Fighter and Saab's Gripen.
Confirming the Typhoon's withdrawal from both competitions in late December, EADS Military Air Systems said: "The Eurofighter consortium has made the decision to suspend its talks with Norway and Denmark about the fighter replacement programmes in both countries."
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© Geoffrey Lee/Eurofighter |
EADS attributed the decision to "recent adjustments in the timing and structure of the assessment process" in both nations, which sources suggest are perceived as having skewed their Lockheed F-16 replacement contests in favour of the JSF. However, Saab-led Gripen International is continuing its campaign to promote the Gripen NG (Next Generation) to both Nordic states; Danish concept pictured below.
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© Gripen International |
With export deals already in place to deliver 87 Typhoons to Austria and Saudi Arabia, the Eurofighter companies will now focus their efforts on pending contests in countries including Greece, India, Japan and Turkey.
Source: Flight International
