In the backstage of multi-role aircraft procurement contract: Whoever wins the bid, money goes to the US

Aircraft producers SAAB, Lockheed Martin and AleniaAeronautica confront each other at the Romaero military equipment exhibition, all companies aiming at winning the fighters procurement bid the Romanian state is about to organize. Officials at SAAB, the company producing JAS 39 Gripen, claim that – regardless the name of the plane or the country where it is produced – the money will go to the United States. Even the Swedish plane is produced by Americans.

Another argument is that BAE Systems, an US strategic partner, is a shareholder and main subcontractor at SAAB, Lockheed Martin and AleniaAeronautica. On the other hand, Lockheed Martin officials are confident that they will win the bid and say that they will fulfill any demand of the Romanian authorities.