Gripen International welcomes the approval of the second annual Offset Performance Report from the Czech Ministry of Defense. After almost 2 years into the 10 year Gripen offset program, the total offset claim now approved amounts to 6.6.  Billion Czech Crowns (approx 234 million EUR) representing 26% of the total Offset obligation..

-The latest claim includes ten new Offset partners.

The lease of Gripen, the new generation multi-role fighter, has through the offset program contributed to the economic growth of the Czech Republic and brought employment opportunities through industrial partnerships and export promotion, says Bengt Littke, Czech Program Director, Gripen International.

-Successful course of the offset program represents an evidence for Czech Republic having sufficiently manifold and effective industry, otherwise it would not be possible to realize the offset transactions in such a volume. Defense Ministry of the Czech Republic does not rate the offset program only as a temporary bonus, it is an opportunity for Czech companies to commence a long-term cooperation, said Mr. Cirtek, spokesperson of Czech Republic’s Defense Ministry.

Background
Gripen International has committed to generate offset and industrial cooperation to a value of 130% of the aircraft lease agreement value. The offset agreement requires a minimum of 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, Czech Republic and Hungarian Air Forces and has also been ordered by the South African Air Force. The UK Empire Test Pilots’ School (ETPS) is operating Gripen as its advanced fast jet platform for test pilots worldwide.
Gripen International is also delivering successful industrial cooperation programs in Hungary and South Africa.
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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

BAE Systems provides the Czech Offset delivery team and is contractually responsible to Gripen International for the timely delivery of the offset requirement.

For further information please contact:

Anne Lewis-Olsson, Gripen International Communications Director Czech Republic
Phone: +46 13 18 1355
Mobile: +46 734 18 1355
Fax: +46 13 18 0055
E-mail: anne.olsson@gripen.com

Jan Simunek, Account Director
Mmd Public Relations Czech Republic
Phone: +420 6023933871
Fax: +420 224254364
E-mail: simunek@mmd.cz