Gripen Beats Rafale, Typhoon for Swiss

Gerald · 12-01-11, 02:00 PM

Quote:

Switzerland has opted to buy 22 Saab Gripen JAS-39E/Fs in its long-running F-5 Tiger replacement program, says Defense Minister Ueli Maurer.Gripen beat out the Dassault Rafale and Eurofighter Typhoon—Boeing withdrew the F/A-18E/F early from the program.The arrangement marks a big setback for Dassault, which was hoping to finally secure its first export deal for Rafale. Eurofighter also was eager to convince Switzerland to join the family; Italy, Austria and Germany already fly the aircraft. Switzerland also considered an F-5 extension, but that was deemed too expensive.All three main contenders met the requirements put forward by the services. But the Gripen had several advantages, Maurer says, including price, which leaves money left over for other military needs.The Gripen had both the lowest acquisition costs and lower 30-year life-cycle costs by far, says Maurer. The procurement program is likely to cost less than 3 billion Swiss francs ($3.3 billion). Moreover, Switzerland liked the potential for industrial cooperation on offer from Saab.

http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/gener...%20for%20Swiss

Note: Dec 1, 2011

joegrundman · 12-01-11, 02:36 PM

that logo on the side of the gripen there. when i was a kid, it was just a logo, but now in the world of the intertubes...it's an emoticon

Gerald · 12-01-11, 02:47 PM

Accounts for three crowns, a weapon tag in Swedish flight ... which was before the internet and emoticon,

joegrundman · 12-01-11, 03:06 PM

that was then, this is now

Herr-Berbunch · 12-01-11, 03:17 PM

No trollface then?

All three contenders are a vast step up from the F5

, must be nice to finally (eventually) carry more than a few sidewinders or a couple of mavericks.

But why do the Swiss need these a/c? To give the pope a flypast?

Schroeder · 12-01-11, 03:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Herr-Berbunch

No trollface then?

All three contenders are a vast step up from the F5

, must be nice to finally (eventually) carry more than a few sidewinders or a couple of mavericks.

But why do the Swiss need these a/c? To give the pope a flypast?

They probably fear that their neighbours might try to knock on their door when the Euro goes belly up. There are still rumours that they are storing tons of gold that we have rightfully stol... er... I mean acquired during WWII.

Jimbuna · 12-02-11, 06:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Herr-Berbunch

No trollface then?

All three contenders are a vast step up from the F5

, must be nice to finally (eventually) carry more than a few sidewinders or a couple of mavericks.

But why do the Swiss need these a/c? To give the pope a flypast?

There's one thing you can be sure of then....in Swedish or Swiss hands they'll probably never be tested in battle

Herr-Berbunch · 12-02-11, 07:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimbuna

There's one thing you can be sure of then....in Swedish or Swiss hands they'll probably never be tested in battle

But the Rafale has the most reverse thrust. 200 kts forwards, Mach 2 backwards.

And the wing-tip pods are white flag dispensers.

Osmium Steele · 12-02-11, 08:30 AM

oooohhhhh F-5s going on the market?

Daddy want....

Herr-Berbunch · 12-02-11, 09:59 AM

F-5s do look nice, but too small to play in the big leagues, little fuel, fewer armaments. Like a baby Starfighter, but less suicidal.

But they really do look nice.

Edit: Now awaiting TLAM to come along and correct me on fuel quantities...

MH · 12-02-11, 10:19 AM

F-5 can be upgraded to python/derby/amraam capacity.

.........

Jimbuna · 12-02-11, 10:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MH

F-5 can be upgraded to python/derby/amraam capacity.

........

Still couldn't compete against the likes of the Typhoon and Rafale.

MH · 12-02-11, 10:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimbuna

Still couldn't compete against the likes of the Typhoon and Rafale.

Propably.
Those upgrades seem sort of dead end to give clear edge over some soviet time/older air forces.
As far as multi-role ability those planes cant be compered but may be good interceptors.

Skybird · 12-02-11, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Osmium Steele

oooohhhhh F-5s going on the market?

Daddy want....

That's no F-5, that's a Mig-28!

Skybird · 12-02-11, 11:12 AM

The Gripen is no match for latest-generation fighters like Eurofighter, F-22, Su-35.

But it is a pretty decent plane for the previous generation of fighters. When it entered service in the late 80s, it had probably the most modern cockpit of the pack.

For the Swiss, it is a good choice. It'S still a very good plane, taken for itself. It is easy to maintain, and maintenance is said to be taught easily to recruits. It is very robust in extremely cold climate and winter conditions. It needs very short runways only. It has multi-role capacity. It helps them to save money in the buying, so they can avoid jumping on the money train of military developement. It fits into the needs of their terrain, military infrastructure and defence doctrine. It is no American, Russian or NATO-producer. All these are advantages in the Swiss' favour. For some, the Typhoon would be the better choice (but too expensive). I think for the Swiss the Gripen indeed is the better choice.

12-01-11, 02:36 PM	#2
joegrundman Ocean Warrior Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 2,689 Downloads: 34 Uploads: 0	that logo on the side of the gripen there. when i was a kid, it was just a logo, but now in the world of the intertubes...it's an emoticon __________________ "Enemy submarines are to be called U-Boats. The term submarine is to be reserved for Allied under water vessels. U-Boats are those dastardly villains who sink our ships, while submarines are those gallant and noble craft which sink theirs." Winston Churchill

12-01-11, 02:47 PM	#3
Gerald SUBSIM Newsman Join Date: May 2008 Location: Close to sea Posts: 24,254 Downloads: 553 Uploads: 0	Accounts for three crowns, a weapon tag in Swedish flight ... which was before the internet and emoticon, __________________ Nothing in life is to be feard,it is only to be understood. Marie Curie

12-01-11, 03:06 PM	#4
joegrundman Ocean Warrior Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 2,689 Downloads: 34 Uploads: 0	that was then, this is now __________________ "Enemy submarines are to be called U-Boats. The term submarine is to be reserved for Allied under water vessels. U-Boats are those dastardly villains who sink our ships, while submarines are those gallant and noble craft which sink theirs." Winston Churchill

12-01-11, 03:17 PM	#5
Herr-Berbunch Kaiser Bill's batman Join Date: May 2010 Location: AN72 Posts: 13,203 Downloads: 76 Uploads: 0	No trollface then? All three contenders are a vast step up from the F5 , must be nice to finally (eventually) carry more than a few sidewinders or a couple of mavericks. But why do the Swiss need these a/c? To give the pope a flypast? __________________

12-02-11, 08:30 AM	#9
Osmium Steele Ace of the Deep Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Upper midwest USA Posts: 1,101 Downloads: 22 Uploads: 0	oooohhhhh F-5s going on the market? Daddy want.... __________________ In the month of July of the year 1348, between the feasts of St. Benedict and of St. Swithin, a strange thing came upon England... My U297 build thread

12-02-11, 09:59 AM	#10
Herr-Berbunch Kaiser Bill's batman Join Date: May 2010 Location: AN72 Posts: 13,203 Downloads: 76 Uploads: 0	F-5s do look nice, but too small to play in the big leagues, little fuel, fewer armaments. Like a baby Starfighter, but less suicidal. But they really do look nice. Edit: Now awaiting TLAM to come along and correct me on fuel quantities... __________________

12-02-11, 10:19 AM	#11
MH Ocean Warrior Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 3,184 Downloads: 248 Uploads: 0	F-5 can be upgraded to python/derby/amraam capacity. .........

12-02-11, 11:12 AM	#15
Skybird Soaring Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: the mental asylum named Germany Posts: 42,602 Downloads: 10 Uploads: 0	The Gripen is no match for latest-generation fighters like Eurofighter, F-22, Su-35. But it is a pretty decent plane for the previous generation of fighters. When it entered service in the late 80s, it had probably the most modern cockpit of the pack. For the Swiss, it is a good choice. It'S still a very good plane, taken for itself. It is easy to maintain, and maintenance is said to be taught easily to recruits. It is very robust in extremely cold climate and winter conditions. It needs very short runways only. It has multi-role capacity. It helps them to save money in the buying, so they can avoid jumping on the money train of military developement. It fits into the needs of their terrain, military infrastructure and defence doctrine. It is no American, Russian or NATO-producer. All these are advantages in the Swiss' favour. For some, the Typhoon would be the better choice (but too expensive). I think for the Swiss the Gripen indeed is the better choice. __________________ If you feel nuts, consult an expert.