Denmark and Sweden Sign Gripen Agreement

Gripen International, The Danish and Swedish defence ministers Sören Gade and Sten Tolgfors, have today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) regarding Gripen during a visit to Saab in Linköping, Sweden. 
 
Denmark is planning to replace its ageing F-16 fleet of 48 aircraft within the next 10 to 15 years, and intends conducting a comprehensive evaluation of different aircraft types before making its selection. The MoU guarantees that all relevant Swedish information which is needed for the Danish evaluation of the Gripen fighter will be available. 
 
The signature of the MoU by the two defence ministers took place in the presence of the ‘Gripen DK Team’, comprising representatives from all the key industrial partners and suppliers from the Danish aerospace and defence industry. 
 
“Gripen is one of the candidates in our evaluation process and this MoU is important for Denmark and for the Swedish defence industry”, says Danish Defence Minister Sören Gade. 
 
Sweden’s new Defence Minister Sten Tolgfors said “This is an important agreement. We are very glad that Denmark is conducting an open and transparent selection process in considering the different candidates. We are confident that Gripen is a very competitive alternative which has already attracted significant international interest” 
 
Johan Landin, Campaign Director Denmark at Gripen International, is also very positive about the new MoU. “This agreement creates a firm foundation for our forthcoming efforts in Denmark. I am confident that the Future Gripen is a very attractive solution for Denmark. It will meet Denmark’s future operational needs in a cost effective and affordable way”. 
 
During the visit, Sören Gade was briefed about the latest updates regarding the development of the Future Gripen, which Gripen International intends to offer to Denmark to meet its requirements. 
 
At the end of his visit to Saab, the Danish Defence Minister was delighted to have the opportunity of ‘flying’ the Gripen fighter, when he successfully took the controls of the advanced Gripen simulator, making a perfect take-off and landing.