Saab's Gripen E fighters to get electronic warfare system parts from South Africa

LINKOPING, Sweden, Oct. 8 (UPI) -- Saab's telecommunications subsidiary in South Africa, Saab Grintek Defense Pty Ltd., will develop and manufacture parts for an electronic warfare system.

The parts are for a system that will be used on Sweden's Gripen E fighter aircraft made by Saab.

Saab Grintek Defense's development efforts will include prototype manufacturing for antennas and microwave modules.

"This is important assignments for Saab Grintek Defense and a testimony to the local capabilities and exceptional local knowledge within electronic warfare in South Africa," said Magnus Lewis-Olsson, chief executive officer of Saab Grintek Defense. "The work will further strengthen our capabilities and secure and protect jobs at SGD for a long time and we hope for further orders for the Gripen E going forward."

The "E" variant of the Gripen is now in development. Sweden's Defense Materiel Administration intends to procure 60 of the aircraft.

Saab Grintek Defense recently was contracted by Rheinmetall Waffe Munition in Germany to provide naval laser warning systems as sensors as part of a frigate upgrade program for a customer in the Asia-Pacific region.