Gripen NG pitched to the Netherlands

August 25, 2008 by Dagpotter · Comment
Filed under: Holland, Military Aviation, Proposal, SAAB, production program 

SAAB submitted a proposal to the Dutch government for replacement of the F-16 Fighting Falcons in service at this time. The current plan is to buy F-35 JSF aircraft. The SAAB proposal includes the Gripen aircraft, support, training and spares. No price for the 85 aircraft proposal was provided. If it is competitive there may be some desire by the Dutch to buy this aircraft over the F-35. SAAB has also proposed a Gripen to Norway and India.

For more see FlightGlobal.com.

Dutch government comes up with creative way to make money on US weapon buys

February 11, 2008 by Dagpotter · Comment
Filed under: FMS, Holland 

According to this article in NisNews.nl, the Dutch government has come up with a way to make money on the foreign currency they transfer to the US to buy weapons and training. Rather then doing a direct government-to-government transfer of the $350 M or so they spend each year, they utilize a commercial account and pay over time. This allows them to get interest on the money.