Gripen offset report approved in the Czech Republic

Gripen International welcomes the approval of the third annual Report on Offset Performance in the Czech Republic covering the period to the end of 2006.

6/7/2007 | With the third offset performance report approved by the Czech Ministry of Defence, 8.7 billion CZK (34%) of the total offset commitment has been reached. The total offset obligation is to be fulfilled within a 10-year period from the effective date of the Offset Agreement, signed on 14th June 2004.

“We are very pleased to receive the positive report which confirms the approval of this third annual offset report. There is a milestone in the contract stating that we are required to reach at least 5.1 billion CZK (20%) by the end of 2006. This result means that we have passed the milestone with considerable margin. Our approach of facilitating lasting mutually beneficial partnerships that stimulate long-term growth has proven to be very successful. We will continue to support the development of Czech industry through the Gripen industrial cooperation program,” says Bengt Littke, Gripen Internationals Programme Director for Czech Republic

“The lease of the Gripen aircraft does not only mean the protection of Czech airspace, but it also brings direct economic benefits to Czech companies through offset programmes. In fact, the project thus benefits the Czech Republic twice,” says Andrej Cirtek, spokesperson of Czech Republic’s Defense Ministry.

Background

Gripen International has committed to generate offset and industrial cooperation to a value of 130% of the aircraft lease agreement value. The offset agreement requires a minimum of direct offset equalling 20% of the offset agreement’s value to support and develop the Czech aerospace and defence industry. The offset program will be fulfilled by 2014, which is 10 years from the contract signature.

Gripen is in service with the Swedish, Czech Republic and Hungarian Air Forces and has also been ordered by the South African Air Force. The UK Empire Test Pilots’ School (ETPS) is operating Gripen as its advanced fast jet platform for test pilots worldwide.
Gripen International is also delivering successful industrial cooperation programs in Hungary and South Africa.

Gripen International is a Swedish company acting as a prime contracting organization, responsible for marketing, selling and supporting the Gripen fighter worldwide. Gripen International combines the strength of its international industrial partners, which are among the world's most experienced and respected manufacturers of aerospace and defence equipment.

BAE SYSTEMS provides the Czech Offset delivery team and is contractually responsible to Gripen International for the timely delivery of the offset requirement.

Saab is one of the world’s leading high-technology companies, with its main operations focusing on defence, aviation and space. The group covers a broad spectrum of competence and capabilities in systems integration.

Photographs and illustrations:

A selection of the very latest illustrations and photographs of Gripen are available to download from our website www.gripen.com. Go to ‘Gripen Image Base’, New Photos

For further information, please contact

Anne Lewis-Olsson – Communications Director, Czech, Gripen International
Tel: +46 13 18 13 55
Mobile: +46 734 18 13 55
anne.olsson@gripen.com

Jan Simunek – Managing Director, Mmd Public Relations Czech Republic
Tel: +420 602 393 871
simunek@mmd.cz

Owe Wagermark – Communications Director, Gripen International
Tel: +46 13 18 1824
Mobile: +46 734 181 824