European Fighter Contract Talks

(MoneyWatch)  Due to the aging fleet of F-16 aircraft bought in the Eighties several NATO countries are looking at upgrading their fleets. Norway, Denmark, Greece and Turkey have discussed buying new aircraft. Norway decided to go with the F-35 JSF continuing its American turn. Greece in January said that it most likely would pursue a new aircraft this year now that government spending has recovered from the Olympics. Denmark has looked at the JSF, SAAB Gripen and F/A-18. Boeing is hoping according to Reuters that the F/A-18 would be chosen by Greece. Greece and Turkey did not field F-16 or similar aircraft relying on a fleet of F-4 and other older American aircraft. Their new fleets will be a significant upgrade but have greater procurement and support costs due to this generational gap. While one would assume that the U.S. or Western European aircraft, like the Typhoon, might be considered SAAB has been very aggressive in marketing the Gripen for these new NATO orders as well as in Asia.