Saab CEO 'spied upon' during Swiss Gripen talks
Published: 25 May 12 13:03 CET | Print version
Online: http://www.thelocal.se/41042/20120525/
The head of Swedish defence group Saab alleged on Friday that his cell phone had been bugged repeatedly during negotiations with Switzerland over Saab's sale of 22 Gripen fighter jets.
- Brazil close to jet fighter decision: minister (1 Apr 12)
- 'Sweden needs 60-80 new fighter jets': military (1 Mar 12)
- Saab to cut Swiss Gripen fighter price: report (8 Feb 12)
He suggested he was a target of industrial espionage, but did not identify by name the people or companies which may have been behind the action.
"You're monitored, one way or another," he said, adding: "Sure, I've been surprised when I see how our competitors work."
Bern's Federal Council announced in November its decision to purchase 22 Gripen for an estimated 3.1 billion francs ($3.2 billion), reportedly the cheapest of three offers.
French planemaker Dassault's Rafale and the Eurofighter, produced by the European EADS consortium, were the other bidders.
No contract has been signed yet, and in February Dassault reportedly made a counter-offer undercutting the Swedish deal, prompting Saab to review its price.
Since then, several Swiss media outlets have revealed classified documents questioning the technical capabilities of the Gripen.
The Swiss defence ministry has repeatedly stood by its choice of Gripen, but in April the federal government delayed the purchase until 2020.
A Swiss parliamentary commission is currently examining whether the government's selection process was conducted properly, and a referendum on the purchase is expected.
Buskhe said on Friday he was "not concerned" about those outcomes.
"I know Switzerland has the ability to evaluate the various alternatives ... I don't think it would be right for Saab to launch a political campaign in another country."
Gripen is already in service with the Swedish, Czech, Hungarian, South African and Thai air forces, and negotiations are underway in Brazil, Denmark and India.
TT/AFP/The Local
Follow The Local on Twitter
What do you think? Leave your comment below.
Ericsson probed over suspected bribes
Swedish telecom equipment maker Ericsson is suspected of having bribed ministers in Romania in connection with being awarded a contract for the country's emergency number and is now under investigation in the United States. READ () »
Warning over 'long-term' Swedish export slump
Sweden's largest business confederation has gone out guns blazing, criticizing politicians for not facing up to the challenges of "a lost year for Swedish exports" in 2012. READ () »
'Lean hospital a sign of Swedish welfare reform'
A Stockholm hospital saved from closure by private health care providers has been hailed by the Economist as one of modern's Sweden public-private success stories. READ () »
H&M mulls production in South America and Africa
Swedish clothing giant H&M is looking into the possibility of sourcing its production to South America, Central America, and even Africa, chief executive Karl-Johan Persson said on Monday. READ () »
Nord Stream plans new gas pipelines
Gas pipeline firm Nord Stream will hold an information meeting on the Baltic island of Gotland on Monday to introduce a proposal to extend its controversial gas pipeline project. READ () »
'Sweden next in line for housing market crash'
Sweden tops a list of countries that risk suffering a housing market crash, Germany's Commerzbank has warned, citing the slackening off of Swedish property prices as a harbinger of a potential downswing. READ () »
Solna voted best place to live in Sweden
Solna, a suburb just north of Stockholm, is the best place to live in Sweden, according to a new ranking published on Friday by Swedish news magazine Fokus. READ () »
Ikea founder rated fifth richest in the world
Ingrad Kamprad, the founder of Swedish furniture giant Ikea, finished fifth on the Bloomberg Billionaires Index published on Friday, with an estimated fortune of $55.6 billion. READ () »
LinkedIn profile lands Swede with hefty tax bill
A Swedish man is facing a five-million kronor ($750,000) add-on to his tax bill after the authorities took a proper look at his account on the professional networking site LinkedIn. READ () »
India in no rush to open first Ikea store
The first Ikea store to open in India may not be ready for years, with the India head of the Swedish furniture giant prepared to wait until the the perfect location is found for the first of the 25 planned stores. READ () »
- 15/05 Sweden plummets in income equality ranking »
- 15/05 Pensioners to recruit ageing Swedish rockers »
- 15/05 Swedish shop hits back: our Converse are real »
- 15/05 Young Swedes forced to live with mum and dad »
- 14/05 Converse in bid to ban 'fake' shoes in Sweden »
- 13/05 Nordea tracked clients in secret 'black book' »
- 10/05 ABB executive to quit after five-year tenure »
- 10/05 Borg defends critique of strong Swedish krona »
- 08/05 EU green lights Volvo and Dongfeng merger »
- 08/05 Sweden sells toxic Baltic salmon to EU: report »
| 21/05 | .Net Software ArchitectsVolvo Information Technology AB | Göteborg, VTG |
| 21/05 | Application consultantCapgemini Sverige AB | St5ockholm, STHM |
| 21/05 | Är du vår kunds nästa tekniskaFramtiden | Linköping |
| 21/05 | Area Manager, Endovascular(EVAR):- Scandinavia | Sverige |
| 21/05 | Betting Connections RecruitmentBetting Connections | Sweden |
| 21/05 | Business Analyst or Requirement SpecialistCapgemini Sverige AB | Stockholm, STHM |
| 21/05 | Business Consultant | Stockholm |
| 21/05 | Business Controller | Stockholm |
| 21/05 | Controller Tele2 Group Product ManagementTele2 AB | Kista, STHM |
| 21/05 | Enterprise Architect | Stockholm |
- 21/05 Car boss asks Merkel to rethink CO2 pledge »
- 21/05 SAP to hire hundreds of autistic IT experts »
- 18/05 Economists warn against German euro exit »
- 17/05 Germany cool to France's EU economy plan »
- 17/05 Au pairs rules relax for non-German families »
- 16/05 Germany refuses to slam French economic policy »
- 16/05 Capri-Sun drink wins false advertising award »
- 15/05 Anaemic economy feels winter chill »
- 15/05 ThyssenKrupp bins 3,000 admin jobs »
- 15/05 Pay deal for metal workers averts strike »
- Är du vår kunds nästa tekniska
- Betting Connections Recruitment
- Medical Writer at AstraZeneca
- Patient Safety at AstraZeneca
- Product Owner, Wastewater Pumps
- Research @ Tobii ? Master's
- Senior Project manager to the Project
- Senior Technical Leader Driving Dynamics
- .Net Software Architects
- Application consultant
- 08:21 My scary encounter with Swedbank.
- 08:21 Husby Riots and violence against the police...
- 07:18 Salary expectations for managing a busy bar?
- 05:51 Relocation to Stockholm
- 22:18 90% of male population gay?
- 21:34 Job prospects for British GP/family doctor
- 21:15 Can you recommend an excellent immigration lawyer?
- 21:05 Living in the UK doing online work in Sweden
- 20:28 Getting a mortgage if my wage is paid overseas?
- 19:41 English people living in helsingborg
Find products and services that are specifically focused on English speakers living in Sweden!
FULL DETAILS
Individuals & Couples - Stockholm Beth Rogerson PhD - Clinical, Marriage & Family Therapist
Click or call 08-5580 1266 now
Create an account with Banc De Binary, the world’s most reputable binary options firm, and start cashing in today! You can start by practicing with our free $50,000 demo account.
www.bbinary.com
Expat counsellor & talk therapist offers counselling for stress, relationship issues, sexuality, culture adjustment & life coaching. Private & confidential. Stockholm or Skype. Contact me today! 08-559 22 636 or
CLICK HERE
Your comments about this article:
The comments below have not been moderated in advance and are not produced by The Local unless clearly stated. Readers are responsible for the content of their own comments. Comments that breach our terms and conditions will be removed.