Three months earlier, on June 25, 2008, US ambassador to Sweden Michael Wood met with Swedish Defence Minister Sten Tolgfors to discuss using a US-made radar in the Saab Gripen. According to a cable from the US Embassy in Stockholm, including the AESA radar in the Swedish-made plane "would enhance Nordic region air coverage and [NATO] interoperability."
"The Gripen contains 50 percent US content, including engines, avionics and weapon systems," adds the cable dated July 9, 2008 and penned by Mr. Wood. "Sales of the Gripen are good for US industry. AESA would increase US content and enhance sales prospects."
However, Mr. Wood recommended the US postpone responding to the Swedish request, "taking into account the potential impact on the Norway fighter jet competition." He noted that Norway was scheduled to make a decision on the JSF or Gripen that December, and that Denmark, would be following suit shortly thereafter.
"Given this potential impact of AESA releaseability on the Norway competition, and possibly the Denmark competition," reads the cable, "we suggest postponing the decision on AESA releaseability for the Gripen until after Norway's decision in December." (end of excerpt)