Saab submits Gripen bid to Brazil

STOCKHOLM, Sweden, Feb. 3 (UPI) -- Sweden-based Saab announced it has submitted a contract bid with Brazilian defense officials to deliver its Gripen fighter aircraft to the Brazilian air force.

Saab says the bid is for a production and delivery contract for 36 of its next generation, or NG, Gripen aircraft. The Gripen NG is an upgraded version of Saab's multirole fighter aircraft designed with new avionics and sensor technologies to improve performance.

Officials say the contract bid is part of an effort to develop a defense partnership between Sweden and the Brazilian Ministry of Defense.

"Gripen NG will provide a long-term partnership between Brazil and Sweden in a well established fighter program that continues to develop," Ake Svensson, Saab chief executive officer, said in a statement.

"Gripen will maintain its position at the cutting edge of technology for the next 30 to 40 years."