Saab-BAE bid promises $3 billion investment package

The consortium of Saab and BAE Systems said yesterday that it would offer a $3 billion investment and co-operation package if Poland chooses to buy its Gripen fighter aircraft. This is the highest offer to date in the bidding for a contract to supply the air force with multi-functional jet fighters. The Saab-BAE bid faces competition from Dassault of France, with its Mirage fighter, and Lockheed-Martin of the US, with its F16. In what is the country's biggest defense contract since 1989, Poland in April launched a tender to supply its air force with 60 fighter jets over five years, a contract estimated to be worth some $3 billion. Speaking about the proposed investment package, Ray Lomas, head of the Gripen marketing team in Poland, said, "The economic and industrial benefits would far exceed those offered by any of our competitors." Under the $3 billion package, Saab-BAE would find industrial partners in Poland, and trade, invest and do other business with them, rather than with firms elsewhere. The consortium has already identified potential partners in several sectors, including aerospace and defense, engineering, agriculture, banking and finance. (Rzeczpospolita, p. B2; Reuters ) P.J.