Labour veteran
wants Swedish
jet fighter
 Labour Party right winger and long-time party secretary, Haakon Lie wants the Government to buy Swedish fighter planes. PHOTO: DAN PETTER NEEGAARD |
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He is getting involved in one of the most difficult issues which the Government has to solve during the next few months; The authorities have to decide n which plane to spend NOK 100 billion (USD 16 billion) on; the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF/ F-35 Lightning 11) or the Swedish JAS 39 Gripen.
Lie writes this in his new book, which is published to coincide with his 103rd birthday later this month.
The former Party Secretary resolutely defends JAS Gripen’s advantages over the JSF.
"The JSF's primary function is to destroy targets on the ground, but we aren't buying a plane to bomb enemy targets. For the foreseeable future the new generation of planes will be needed to maintain sovereign control over our long coastline," says Lie.
He adds that he has heard rumours that the American plane will cost twice as much as the Swedish alternative. He also thinks that buying the Swedish plane would be good for Nordic cooperation.
"When we buy a replacement for our worn out fighters, we have to choose the Swedish plane," he says.
The latest edition of Jane’s Defence Weekly criticises the JSF’s characteristics, claiming that it is underpowered, useless in a ground support role and that its stealth properties are overrated.
Lie's view has surprised many politicians and commentators. He belongs to the staunchly pro-NATO wing of the Labour Party, whereas many of those who want the Swedish plane are sceptical to both the USA and NATO.
Sven Goll
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