LINKOPING, Sweden, May 02, 2002 (PRIMEZONE) -- On 30 April 2002 the Gripen team submitted a modified proposal, as requested, for the delivery of up to 30 fighters for the air force of the Austrian Army.
The biggest difference between this and the proposal of 23 January 2002 concerns the period of time in which the new aircraft would be delivered. As required by the Request for Proposals (RFP), the Gripen team could deliver the first 5 new fighters in mid 2005 and another 7 by the end of 2005. The delivery of all aircraft could be completed by the middle of 2007.
Such exceptionally fast delivery is only possible thanks to the close co- operation that has existed between the Swedish and Austrian air forces for decades.
Parallel to this, an extremely detailed training and educational programme for Austrian pilots and technicians would be conducted.
In addition, in the new proposal there are also further possibilities for the financing of the project, which could be transacted partially through a bank consortium led by Erste Bank and partially through Swedish banks.
Comprehensive proposals for industrial cooperation also constitute an important part of the modified offer.
As has already been announced, the Gripen team has committed itself to offset agreements, in line with the Austrian Government's requirements, amounting to 200% of the total purchase price. In the new proposal, over 110 projects are now specifically listed and described.
The 110 projects are spread out over all 9 federal provinces and cover all of the business fields specified by the Request for Proposals. Special emphasis - more than 40 projects - is placed on life sciences and information technology. In this way, the Gripen team guarantees big opportunities for R&D and industry in Austria.
Further information is available from: Owe Wagermark, Senior Vice President Communications, Gripen International Tel: +46 13 18 4014 Mobil: +46 70 889 60 00 Fax: +46 13 18 0055 owe.wagermark@saab.se Marie Akto, Communications Manager, Gripen International Tel.: +46 13 18 4216 Mobil:+46 70 989 71 10 marie.akto@gripen.com Dr. Manfred Waldenmair, PR Consultant for Austria be.public Werbung Finanzkommunikation GmbH Tel.: +43 1 503 2 503 waldenmair@bepublic.at www.gripen.at
This information was brought to you by Waymaker http://www.waymaker.net
The following files are available for download:
www.waymaker.net/bitonline/2002/05/02/20020502BIT00320/wkr0001.doc www.waymaker.net/bitonline/2002/05/02/20020502BIT00320/wkr0002.pdf