SAAB Chooses Swiss Companies For Gripen E Components Supply

Defence and security company SAAB has taken the strategic decision to find Swiss companies as long-term partners to the Gripen program to develop, produce and assemble major components of the Gripen E aircraft, having more than 35 per cent of the work placed in the French- and Italian-speaking regions. 

The decision to grow the Gripen E supplier base in Switzerland is an important step for Saab’s Swiss Industrial Participation (SIP) programme, demonstrating the company’s willingness and commitment to deliver major direct SIP packages for Gripen E and results from a continuous dialogue with armasuisse, Swissmem, GRPM (Groupe Romande Pour le Matérial de Défense et de Sécurité) and the Swiss Gripen Group.

The main focus for the Swiss industry work will commence with the development, production and assembly of five major items of Gripen E namely rear fuselage, pylons (weapon stations),tail cone, air brakes, and the external fuel “drop” tanks. 

These initial packages represent over 500,000 man hours of work and business volume of 200 MCHF for Swiss industry, and is related to the 60 Gripen Es ordered by Sweden and 22 Gripen E fighters that may be ordered by Switzerland.

“We are looking for companies with advanced skills and strong competitiveness that can be our partners for the long-term and to quickly seal their involvement in the program”, as stated by Lennart Sindahl, Head of Business Area Aeronautics at SAAB.