Gripen International has now received formal approval from the Czech Ministry of Defense for its first Annual Offset Performance Report. The Offset value approved amounts to over four Billion Czech Crowns (approx 133 million EUR). This represents 16.5% of the total Offset obligation and covers a reporting period from 1st January 2002 to 31st December 2004. All future reports are anticipated to be available in the June of each year and will cover performance for the previous calendar year.
The Gripen Offset program includes at this stage 14 projects across a wide range of industry sectors all of which are generating net export value for the Czech economy. All of the projects concern manufacturing and production in the Czech Republic for re-export to Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
The Offset values declared are without any offset multipliers.
The Gripen offset obligation in the Czech Republic is over 25 Billion Czech Crowns (approx 830 million EUR) which equals 130% of the value of the lease agreement for 14 Gripen aircraft signed in Prague on June 14th 2004.
“We are very satisfied to see that our Industrial Cooperation Program in the Czech Republic is successful,” says Johan Lehander, Managing Director of Gripen International. “We believe that the offset value approved, clearly shows the firm commitment Gripen International and our partners have in delivering what has been contracted by the Ministry of Defense.”
“Support of the Czech industry during procurement process is general policy of The Ministry of Defense. The offset report shows clearly that Gripen acquisition means success both for the army and for the Czech industry and that our policy on this field brings positive outcomes,” says Andrej Cirtek, Spokesman of The Minister of Defense.
Background
Gripen International has committed to generate offset and industrial cooperation to a value of 130% of the aircraft lease agreement value. The agreement includes direct offset equalling 20% of the offset agreement’s value to support and develop the Czech aerospace and defence industry. The offset program will be fulfilled by 2014, which is 10 years from the contract signature.
Gripen is in service with the Swedish and Czech Republic Air Forces and has also been ordered by the South African and Hungarian Air Forces. The UK Empire Test Pilots’ School (ETPS) is operating Gripen as its advanced fast jet training platform for test pilots worldwide.
Gripen International is also delivering successful industrial cooperation programmes in Hungary and South Africa.
Gripen International is the Swedish company which acts as a prime contracting organization, responsible for marketing, selling and supporting the Gripen fighter worldwide. Gripen International combines the strength of its international industrial partners, which are among the world's most experienced and respected manufacturers of aerospace and defense equipment. www.gripen.com
From effective contract in June 2004, Gripen International is supported by BAE Systems (International) Ltd in performing offset generating activities in the Czech Republic.
For further information please contact:
Bengt Littke, Programme Director Czech Republic
Phone: +46 13 18 2835
Mobile: +46 734 18 2835
Email: bengt.littke@gripen.com
Anne Lewis-Olsson, Communications Czech Republic
Phone: +46 13 18 1355
Mobile: +46 734 18 1355
Fax: +46 13 18 0055
E-mail: anne.olsson@gripen.com
Pavla Šeborová, Group Account Director
Mmd Public Relations Czech Republic
Phone: +420 224251555
Fax: +420 224254364
E-mail: seborova@mmd.cz
