Aethulwulf wrote:
(Unofficially) The Gripen rarely competes in the same competitions as the F35, as they are at the opposite ends of the cost/capability curve. Saab normally takes the view that any country seriously interested in the F35 is unlikely to choose the Gripen and doesn't waste money in such contests.
Not sure i agree ......In both Norway and Denmark it went up against the F-35 directly and was also offered to Canada (before they cancelled their program) ....Saab only withdrew from those competitions when it became clear that the Gripen would have trouble meeting key requirements and really wasn't competitive.
In Switzerland it competed against the Rafale, Super Hornet and Typhoon(which can hardly be classified as low tier fighters) and WON....likely because of low cost. Same story in Brazil.
It was even peddled to India in the infamous MRCA debacle, again competing(unsuccessfully) against top of the line fighters.
So Saabs strategy of focusing their efforts on second tier markets is a recent development and probably a result of their experiences and lack of success in the aformentioned fighter programs.
But credit were credit is due, their new strategy seems to be paying off quite nicely.