Saab Gripen E/F

Finland’s HX fighter contest is on track for a selection before the year-end, the program director for the procurement has said.

The Colombia proposal adds to a growing list of nations where the new-generation Gripen is in contention, such as Canada, Finland and India.

Sweden is proposing to replace Finland’s F/A-18 Hornets on a virtual one-for-one basis by offering 64 Gripen fighters for Helsinki’s €9 billion ($10.9 billion) HX fighter requirement.

Sweden’s parliament has approved plans to boost the capabilities of the country’s armed forces in the face of a growing regional threat from Russia.

Sweden’s Saab has lifted the lid on an internally developed air-launched decoy which will also form part of its Gripen offer for Finland’s HX future fighter replacement requirement.