Dogfights and duels - Rivalry in bids to supply new fighter aircraft

Published: Sep 12, 2005
Source: www.sofiaecho.com



IN what has been described as a choice of political allies, the Bulgarian Government will have to make a decision in the next few months on a supplier of about 20 fighters for the country’s armed forces.


Two of the candidates to become suppliers – Lockheed Martin of the US and Sweden’s Gripen International – already made their first public presentation in the past 10 days and showed that the competition will be fierce.


In addition to them, more of the world’s largest aircraft manufacturers are expected to pursue the fighter jet contract that the Defence Ministry is preparing to award.


The potential for serious inflow of additional investment was revealed by the business intentions of both Lockheed Martin and Gripen. The two intend to bring in dozens of Swedish, US and South Korean companies for the implementation of projects in Bulgaria as part of an offset contract that will be a component of the fighter acquisition.


The fighter procurement procedure, expected to get underway by the end of 2005 and take almost two years to complete, is the most expensive upgrade project of the Bulgarian armed forces, estimated at more than a billion US dollars.continue..