So, Saab is talking about cutting its losses on the fighter competition in the Netherlands if they order two F-35 test aircraft in the next few months, which brings them into the JSF test program, which makes sense, the fix has been in for some time here, with Lockheed throwing too much business Dutch industry’s way for them to say no.

But wait, there’s more.

The Netherlands is demanding a firm fixed price for the F-35, which Lockheed Martin is simply unable to do….The aircraft is still (!) not mature enough, and we are seeing price ranges from $60m to $160 million from various sources and what is counted. (The last number is from Air Power Australia, and they really dislike the JSF[Update: the Israelis are saying $200 million, more than the F-22])

Saab, meanwhile, has given a firm fixed price offer which covers pretty much everything from soup to nuts of around $79 million.

I don’t think that Saab has the least chance of winning this, but this is definitely interesting.