UK And Sweden Agree To Cooperate On Gripen E International Sales
UK And Sweden Agree To Cooperate On Gripen E International Sales Aviation Week
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The UK and Sweden Collaborate to Promote International Sales of Saab’s JAS 39 Gripen E Combat Aircraft
LONDON—The British and Swedish governments are to cooperate on promoting international sales of Saab’s JAS 39 Gripen E combat aircraft as part of a new relationship between the two countries.
Strategic Partnership Agreement
Buried in the text of the new Strategic Partnership between the UK and Sweden, signed by Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson and his UK counterpart, Rishi Sunak, in Visby, Sweden, on Oct. 13, is a call for closer cooperation on joint export opportunities including “working together to promote international sales of Gripen E and the associated weapons package,” the document states.
Historical Background
The agreement harks back to the late 1990s, when BAE Systems and Saab formed Gripen International in a bid to market C/D model aircraft to several countries. At the time, the C/D had around 30% UK content.
Emphasis on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
“We will work with our industries to identify, plan and deliver third-country export opportunities for UK and Swedish businesses and seek further bilateral opportunities for reciprocal foreign direct investment,” the agreement says.
Significant UK Content
The arrangement appears to highlight the significant UK content in the fighter including the Raven ES-05 active electronically scanned array radar, which was developed by Leonardo UK, and its Martin-Baker-developed ejection seat.
UK-developed Weapons
The Gripen E also makes extensive use of UK-developed weapons from MBDA including the Meteor beyond-visual range air-to-air missile and will include the Spear 3 and electronic-warfare functions.
End of Gripen International Joint Venture
The Gripen International joint venture ended in the early 2000s when BAE Systems sold its stake in Saab.
Global Combat Air Program
More recently, Sweden had been a member of the-then UK-led Future Combat Air System program to develop a sixth-generation fighter, but took a step back so it could look at its own combat aircraft needs post-Gripen C/D/E. That initiative, now named the Global Combat Air Program is proceeding with the support of Italy and Japan.
Challenges in the Fighter Market
However, success in the international fighter market has been a struggle for the Gripen E after sales to Brazil. The market is dominated by the Lockheed Martin F-35 Joint Strike Fighter.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth | Target 8.3: Promote development-oriented policies that support productive activities, decent job creation, entrepreneurship, creativity, and innovation | – Cooperation between the UK and Sweden to promote international sales of Saab’s JAS 39 Gripen E combat aircraft – Working together to identify, plan, and deliver third-country export opportunities for UK and Swedish businesses |
| SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions | Target 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all | – Cooperation between the UK and Sweden on joint export opportunities – Seeking further bilateral opportunities for reciprocal foreign direct investment |
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
The article discusses the cooperation between the UK and Sweden to promote international sales of Saab’s JAS 39 Gripen E combat aircraft. This cooperation aligns with SDG 8, which aims to promote sustainable economic growth, productive employment, and decent work for all.
SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
The article mentions the strategic partnership between the UK and Sweden, which includes closer cooperation on joint export opportunities. This cooperation contributes to SDG 16, which focuses on promoting peaceful and inclusive societies, access to justice, and effective institutions.
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
Target 8.3: Promote development-oriented policies that support productive activities, decent job creation, entrepreneurship, creativity, and innovation
The cooperation between the UK and Sweden to promote international sales of Saab’s JAS 39 Gripen E combat aircraft supports the target of promoting development-oriented policies that encourage productive activities, job creation, entrepreneurship, creativity, and innovation.
Target 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all
The strategic partnership between the UK and Sweden, which includes closer cooperation on joint export opportunities, contributes to the target of promoting the rule of law at national and international levels and ensuring equal access to justice for all.
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
The article mentions several indicators that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets:
– Cooperation between the UK and Sweden to promote international sales of Saab’s JAS 39 Gripen E combat aircraft: This indicates progress in promoting development-oriented policies, productive activities, and job creation.
– Working together to identify, plan, and deliver third-country export opportunities for UK and Swedish businesses: This indicates progress in promoting entrepreneurship, creativity, and innovation.
– Seeking further bilateral opportunities for reciprocal foreign direct investment: This indicates progress in promoting equal access to justice and effective institutions.
By monitoring these indicators, progress towards the identified targets can be measured.
4. SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth | Target 8.3: Promote development-oriented policies that support productive activities, decent job creation, entrepreneurship, creativity, and innovation | – Cooperation between the UK and Sweden to promote international sales of Saab’s JAS 39 Gripen E combat aircraft – Working together to identify, plan, and deliver third-country export opportunities for UK and Swedish businesses |
| SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions | Target 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all | – Cooperation between the UK and Sweden on joint export opportunities – Seeking further bilateral opportunities for reciprocal foreign direct investment |
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Source: aviationweek.com
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