As is well known, the Finnish Air Force is looking for a successor to its F/A-18 Hornet fleet as part of its so-called HX-Challenge and has also set its sights on the Gripen E/F from Saab. The Swedish manufacturer is now hoping to significantly increase its chances with a new electronic warfare package.
Saab’s offer for Finland includes both the Gripen E/F fighter jet and the GlobalEye multi-role early warning and control platform – that much was previously known. As Saab announced a few days ago, a new electronic warfare package is also part of the offer. According to the company, this package consists of a new Electronic Attack Jammer Pod, with which Saab already began flight tests in 2019 (Military News reported) and is currently under development, decoy missiles (LADM) launched by Lightweight Air.
On the one hand, this is intended to make radar detection of the jets significantly more difficult. On the other hand, the system is intended to make a potential adversary display false targets for detection, tracking and fire control. “This is to ensure that Finnish pilots are protected from enemy radars and missiles and that only a minimum number of aircraft are required to complete individual missions,” says Jonas Hjelm, Senior Vice President and Head of Saab Business Area Aeronautics.
To develop the new components, Saab is increasing the number of staff at its technology center in Tampere, Finland. The Swedish manufacturer has also entered into a technology partnership with Aalto University in Helsinki. Around ten joint research projects are primarily concerned with advanced sensors and artificial intelligence.
Helsinki has set a budget of around ten billion euros for HX procurement. In addition to the Gripen from Saab Dassault (with the Rafale), the Eurofighter Typhoon, Lockheed Martin (with the F-35A) and Boeing (with the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet and the EA-18G Growler) are among the candidates. A type decision is expected by the end of 2021 at the latest.
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