Saab Offers Info on Gripen Lease to Malaysia

Saab has confirmed it has submitted proposals to the Malaysian government for the lease of Gripen fighters but said it wasn’t responding to a formal request for information.
SAAB delivered proposals earlier this year but wouldn’t reveal how many ex-Swedish Air Force C/D model aircraft are involved or the length of a possible lease deal.
The new aircraft is meant to replace 18 MiG-29s due to go out service in the next couple of years.
Without a replacement, the Malaysian Air Force fast jet fleet would comprise F/A-18 D and Sukhoi Su-30s.
Boeing’s F/A-18 Super Hornet, Dassault’s Rafale, the Eurofighter Typhoon and Sukhoi have previously been involved in bidding for the program.
Saab already has lengthy experience in leasing Gripen C and D model jets to the Czech and Hungarian air forces.
Boeing is reckoned to have lodged proposals for an F/A-18 Super Hornet lease. It has the advantage of being the incumbent fighter supplier to the Malaysian Air Force.
A BAE offer based on second-hand Eurofighter Tranche 1 Typhoons failed to materialize as expected, but it could be submitted soon.
BAe, which represents the Eurofighter partners Airbus Defence and Finmeccanica, considered using Spanish Tranche 1s but have opted for Royal Air Force jets.
Dassault’s plans to address the Malaysian affordability issues are not known at this time.
Russia have been offering the Su-35MKM but could also offer the Su-30.
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