Saab Military Aircraft has signed an agreement with Danubian Aircraft of Hungary for the production of JAS39 Gripen components. At the same time, a Swedish air force JAS39 has been flown to Hungary for evaluation by the Hungarian air force.
According to Danubian, the agreement means the company will manufacture components for the Gripen from January 1996. The company adds that the deal "...opens the option for the purchase of the Saab JAS39 Gripen fighter by the Hungarian Defence Forces".
Saab says the agreement is a ...first step towards broader and closer co-operation between Danubian and Saab concerning production arrangements for the Gripen system".
Danubian says that it will receive further orders from Saab if Hungary chooses the Gripen to replace its aging Mikoyan MiG-21 fighters.
Source: Flight International
