PARIS --- In a surprise reversal, Sweden’s Saab has decided to pull out of Canada’s fledging fighter competition,
although it may rejoin later if conditions change,
the company said June 3.
Saab is the first of the five competitors to pull out,
but other competitors also have expressed doubts that the competition will be fair and open.
“Saab followed the discussions in Canada with interest [but] at this time and stage of the evaluation process,
Saab has decided not to take part,”
the company said in a June 3 e-mail message.
“Our conclusion is that the conditions were not yet ripe for us to act.”
Saab’s withdrawal is all the more surprising that, just days before the week-end, it appeared eager to continue the competition.