Swedish Saab surprised at Romania's F-16 jets choice

BUCHAREST, March 25, 2010 (AFP) - Swedish group Saab said Thursday it was "surprised" at Romania's choice of F-16 second-hand aircraft to the detriment of its Gripen and asked authorities to submit all offers to parliament.

"We are surprised at the statement indicating that the Supreme Defence Council is pursuing the old F-16s, without any offset, due to lack of financial resources,", said Richard Smith, Saab's marketing director for Romania.


"Unfortunately, the Romanian armed force may end up with someone else's junk."

The Supreme Council announced Wednesday it would submit to parliament its decision to purchase 24 F-16 aircraft currently used by the US air force.

Bucharest is also considering buying 24 new F-16 and, at a later stage, acquiring 24 F-35 jets, the defence ministry said, stressing this was part of the Romanian-US "strategic partnership."

But Saab said the ministry should "present to parliament all the offers that have been submitted, so that all the facts are available for discussion."

The Swedish group also argued its offer was "better by far, from the economic perspective, due to.... the generous 100 percent offset."

"We are guaranteeing offset which will bring investments and create tens of thousands of new jobs. The US is promising nothing. In a period of economic crisis, this is simply outrageous."

Romania has long mulled the purchase of fighter planes to replace its ageing, Soviet-made MiG-21 Lancer aircraft, but has delayed the decision due to lack of funds.

The F-16 (Lockheed Martin) were competing with the Gripen jets, the Eurofighters (EADS, BAE Systems and Alenia/Finmeccanica) and the French-made Rafales (Dassault).


by Joseph Krauss
(c) 2010 AFP