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Saab seeks Swiss partners for Gripen E

LINKOPING, Sweden, April 2 (UPI) -- Sweden's Saab, which hopes to sell 22 Gripen E fighters to Switzerland, is looking for Swiss manufacturing partners.

"We are currently in discussions with Swiss companies, including small and medium-sized enterprises, throughout all regions of Switzerland that can be involved in this major project," said Lennart Sindahl, head of Saab's Aeronautics business area.

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"We are looking for companies with advanced skills and strong competitiveness that can be our partners for the long-term and to quickly seal their involvement in the program."

The main areas of focus for the Swiss industry would be the development, production and assembly of the Gripen E rear fuselage, weapon station pylons, the Gripen E tail cone, air brakes and external fuel "drop" tanks.

Of the work performed in Switzerland, more than 35 percent would be conducted in the country's French- and Italian-speaking regions.

Saab said the initiative is part of its Swiss Industrial Participation program.

The company said Swiss participation would not be limited to production of Gripen E aircraft now ordered by Sweden and those that might be ordered by Switzerland but would apply to future orders from other countries.

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