Swedish Saab To Withdraw From BSDA Exhibition Over Romania's Choice Of F-16 Fighter Jets

Saab said in a press release it was surprised to learn that the Romanian Supreme Defense Council recommended the country's Parliament should hold debates and decide on the purchase of 24 used F-16 fighter jets based solely on a single offer, while citing the lack of funds needed to purchase new multirole aircrafts.

Saab also said it hopes Romania will consider all offers it receives and will choose new multirole fighters based on a fair, competitive and transparent process, which will pave way for the best possible offer.

Saab marketing director for Romania, Richard Smith, pointed out that, in lack of a wide range of offers, the Romanian Parliament will not be able to make a comparison and choose the offer to best serve the country's citizens and air force.

Smith also underscored that Saab would continue to display its Gripen aircrafts at defense exhibitions in Romania if the country decides to organize a transparent and competitive process and to choose the best offer to the benefit of its industry and economy, especially in times of economic crisis when financial resources are scarce, according to the press release.

Under these circumstances, Saab decided to no longer participate in the BSDA defense exhibition in April and to call off plans to sponsor the participation of Gripen multirole fighter aircrafts, belonging to the air forces of several NATO member countries, in flypasts organized in Romania, the press release also reads.

Saab said it would ask the Romanian Government, via the country's Defense Ministry, to submit all offers of multirole aircrafts, including the Gripen fight aircrafts, to the Parliament in order to closely analyze all offers and make the best decision.

On March 23, Romania's Supreme Defense Council approved the Defense Ministry's proposal to purchase 24 used F16 fighter aircrafts, a request which has been sent to the Parliament for debates.

"Since Romania does not have the financial resources to purchase new multirole aircrafts, the Supreme Defense Council has approved the Defense Ministry's proposal to buy 24 used F16 fighters, a request which will be sent to the Parliament for debates and a final decision," the presidential office said in a press release at the time.

The ministry said at the time that the 24 aircrafts approved by the Supreme Defense Council are of the Block 25 type, revitalized and fully equipped, and the package includes technical assistance for three to five years, logistic support, flight simulators, pilot and staff training, transportation, adaptation of the ground infrastructure, ammunition and administrative costs.

The ministry also said the purchase of the F-16 fighter jets will cost some $1.3 billion, the planes have a flight resource of about 10-15 years left, and in a second phase, Romania will purchase 24 new aircrafts.

If you liked this story, please follow MEDIAFAX.RO on FACEBOOK »

The content of mediafax.ro is for your information only. Republishing or using this content is forbidden without express consent of MEDIAFAX. For this consent, please ask for it by mail at vanzari@mediafax.ro.