After the decision of Government of Finland to acquire the F-35A Lighting II, the Swedish manufacturer Saab pronounced on the morning of this Friday (10). In the statement, published through its official Finnish-language profile, Saab says it has received the decision with respect but also with disappointment.
“The HX project decision was released today. We received the decision with respect, but somewhat surprised and disappointed. We are proud of our Gripen and GlobalEye offering and believe it was the best solution for Finland.”
HX-hankepäätös julkaistiin tänään. Otimme päätöksen vastaan kunnioituksella, mutta jokseenkin yllättyneinä ja pettyneinä. Olemme ylpeitä Gripen- ja GlobalEye-tarjouksestamme ja uskomme sen olleen Suomelle paras ratkaisu. pic.twitter.com/63NiPPdasy
— Saab Finland (@SaabFI) December 10, 2021
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At the end of April this year, Saab delivered his final proposal for the HX Program. In addition to the 64 Gripen E fighters, the offer also included two GlobalEye early warning and control jets, as well as an extensive industrial cooperation agreement.
However, the proposal — already allied with the historic partnership between Helsinki and Stockholm — was not enough. This Friday, the Finnish Air Force announced the F-35 stealth fighter as the winner of the bid. In addition to the Gripen, the 5th Generation jet sured Boeing's American F/A-18 Super Hornet, the French Dassault Rafale and the multinational Eurofighter Typhoon.
The US stealth jets will replace Finland's fleet of F/A-18C/D Hornet fighters. The first F-35s will be delivered to the Air Force in 2026, completely replacing Hornets between 2028 and 2030.
Despite the defeat in the bid by its neighboring country, the Saab Gripen continues to compete against the F-35 in the Canada, which also wants to replace its F/A-18s. The Swedish fighter too competes against the F-16 in the Philippines.
