The American aircraft manufacturer Boeing is willing to guarantee orders of between 10 and 20 billion kroner if Denmark decides to purchase the Boeing F-18 Superhornet as a replacement for the Danish Air Force F16s.

The size of kick-back orders to particularly high-technology companies, will depend on the number of aircraft that Denmark decides to purchase.

“If we are chosen this summer, our counter-trade agreements with Danish industry will begin immediately,” says Vice-president Business Development Boeing Military Aircraft Thomas Bell, who is also reported as saying that Boeing is prepared to provide orders for Danish industry equalling the cost of the aircraft that Denmark would buy.

Biggest arms purchase for 30 years
In recent months, Bell has been in contact with Danish politicians and decision-makers in his campaign for Denmark to choose the Superhornet.

“I won’t say that the crisis helps us, but the current economic situation does not harm Boeing’s chances,” says Bell.

The prospects of maintaining valuable jobs may just be enough to put Boeing ahead of the current American favourite Lockheed Martin and Saab of Sweden in the race to win the biggest Danish arms purchase for three decades.

Defence minister: Massive investment
Boeing’s suggestion comes a month ahead of a defining Defence Force and ministerial report that is to be presented to the Parliamentary Defence Committee.

“We must of course take a professional decision on which type of fighter we should choose. But it is a massive investment – vast sums of money - and so it is important for society that there is an employment effect,” says Defence Minister Søren Gade adding that jobs are important in a situation in which ‘the boilers aren’t working at 120 percent but rather at 80 percent”.

Expert: Be careful
But a military expert is warning against bartering.

“Purchase prices and jobs are easy to handle for politicians. It’s easier to talk about them than about the long-term strategic benefits of choosing one aircraft rather than another,” says Henrik Breitenbauch of the Danish Institute for Military Studies.

He says jobs should come second in line when major weapons orders are being decided.

SocDems: Best aircraft
While the opposition Social Democrats believe that the Superhornet is a good aircraft, the purchase of a fighter is not an employment project.

“If it’s all about employment, then we could use the money in a different way. We must choose the best aircraft for the tasks that we believe we will be confronted with,” says Social Democratic Defence Spokesman John Dyrby.

Boeing is reported to have already signed agreements of understanding with, among others, the radar and electronics company Tema and the software company Systematic on cooperation – contingent on Denmark choosing the F18 Superhornet.