Bulgaria opts for the Gripen

The Bulgarian Government has confirmed that the Saab JAS 39C Gripen is “the country’s new combat aircraft”. Bulgaria had issued a request for proposals (RFP) for eight multi-role fighters to be delivered by 2020. A selection board conducted detailed reviews of three submitted offers which comprised used F-16MLUs supplied by the United States and Portugal, with a full logistic and weapons

package supplied by the US; new Saab JAS 39C Gripens; and used Tranche 1 Eurofighter Typhoons supplied by Italy, all through government-to-government agreements.

Bulgaria’s Defence Minister Stephan Yanev has said that the Swedish proposal for the JAS 39C Gripen has been ranked in the first place followed by the combined US-Portuguese F-16 proposal with the Italian Eurofighter in third place. Furthermore, the Swedish proposal provides for rapid deliveries to be completed within 18 months, and supported by a deferred payment scheme.