Austria is to lease 12 of Switzerland's ageing Northrop F-5E Tiger II fighters as an interim capability between the withdrawal of its Saab J350E Draken interceptors by the end of 2005 and its acceptance from 2007 of 18 Eurofighter Typhoons. The four-year deal is valued at €75 million ($93 million).
Austrian defence minister Günther Platter had been negotiating a maintenance contract with Saab for the air force's 24 Drakens, but the aircraft's airworthiness could not be guaranteed beyond 2005 and the expense of maintaining them was too high. "Our airspace must be kept under flawless surveillance until the arrival of the Eurofighters," he told the Austrian media, saying the Swiss deal was the best solution on offer. The Tiger's simplicity will allow Austrian pilots to make a rapid transition to the type, and the country's geographical proximity to Switzerland is "very advantageous" for logistical support of the aircraft, he says.
The Czech government last week gave defence minister Miroslav Kostelka its backing to complete talks with Sweden over its planned lease of 14 JAS39C/D Gripen fighters. Acontract signature is expected before the end of May, with first deliveries set for May 2005.Source: Flight International
