RUAG receives major contract for Gripen from Saab

The Swedish defence and security company Saab has awarded the Swiss technology group RUAG the contract for the series production of payload mountings for the Gripen E/F fighter aircraft to Sweden and Brazil. The contract is worth more than CHF 80 million in total. This further strengthens the solid industrial partnership between Saab and Swiss company RUAG and secures their long-term collaboration.

Prototyp_Pylon_in_Emmen

Following on from the contract for the development and production of prototypes in March 2014, the new order for series production of payload mountings totals over CHF 80 million. At present the Gripen E/F is contracted by the Swedish and Brazilian governments.

Payload mountings are devices that carry additional fuel tanks, reconnaissance systems or guided missiles. They are complex technological components which contain both electronic and mechanical systems. They must meet the highest standards in terms of aerodynamics and resilience.

When the contracts were signed today, Lennart Sindahl, Deputy CEO at Saab, stated: “Gripen’s success is built on partnership with world class companies as our single source suppliers on the global market. Following the design phase it is obvious that RUAG is the right partner for this product. Therefore we are very happy to establish this broad and long-term relationship making RUAG a major supplier in the Gripen programme, initially for the Swedish and Brazilian airforces. At the same time, it is a clear signal that Switzerland will be a key market for Saab also in the future.”

Urs Breitmeier, CEO of the RUAG Group, added: “This contract represents a seal of approval for RUAG’s Aerostructures division in Emmen. The expansion of our solid, long-term partnership with Saab is also a positive indication for the future for all our employees, for the site, and for Switzerland as a location for industry.”

Dr Alexander Toussaint, CEO of RUAG’s Aerostructures division, went on to comment as follows: “We are delighted that this important order will enable us to further expand and secure for the long term the partnership we enjoy with our customer SAAB.”

In all, the payload mountings contract involves 33 prototypes and 546 series parts. Up to eight mountings can be attached to each Gripen. The first prototypes are scheduled for delivery at the end of 2016, with series production expected to last until 2026. RUAG will call on suppliers from various regions of Switzerland to help fill this order.

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