Polish deal may prove decisive for future of Gripen

Due to the Czech Republic's cancellation of its tender for a multi-purpose military plane, and talks with Hungary not yet having yielded any cons tructive results, the possible victory of Sweden's Gripen International in Poland may prove crucial for its future. Even though it is known that the contract has always been a priority for Bjoern Magnusson - the manager of the Polish Project at Gripen International - it is evident that over recent weeks winning the tender has become even more imperative for the Swedish company. Without a doubt this is due to the Czech Republic's decision to withdraw its tender and the renegotiation of the contract with Hungary. If in the end Gripen is not purchased by the air forces of any of these three countries, it would undermine the purpose of the aircraft's production. Swed en constructed Gripen in the hope it would produce an export miracle. Howeve r, excluding the rather unrealistic contracts in Eastern Europe, Gripen has so far managed to sell its planes only to the Republic of South African. As a result, the British-Swedish consortium prepared a highly competitive offer for Poland. The most striking aspect is the attractive price, which is lower than those of its competitors. Moreover, the offset offer is also alluring (the estimated value amounts to $8 billion) and similar to that presented b y Lockheed Martin. (Prawo i Gospodarka, p. 1) A.C.