BRITISH AEROSPACE and Saab have formally unveiled a joint venture covering the export of the latter's JAS39 Gripen multi-role fighter aircraft (Flight International, 7-13 June).
The deal covers joint marketing, manufacturing and support of export derivatives of the JAS39, which BAe believes will meet its requirement for a light-combat aircraft.
John Weston, BAe Defence chairman, says that the Gripen "...sits nicely between the Hawk and the Eurofighter 2000". The two companies believe that there is an international market for around 1,200 aircraft in the class of the Gripen over the next 15 years.
US defence analyst Teal Group predicts that within ten years, BAe/Saab and Lockheed Martin will dominate the fighter market.
Source: Flight International
