Saab renews Gripen E/F proposal for the Indian Air Force

Saab renews Gripen E/F proposal for the Indian Air Force

According to local media reports, Swedish company Saab is once again advancing proposals to equip the Indian Air Force with its Gripen E/F fighters, offering several options for local aircraft production in an effort to secure approval from New Delhi. The company is seeking to make amends after losing a previous competition that ended with the selection of Dassault’s Rafale fighter, in what is a highly significant opportunity that could result in orders for around 114 aircraft to increase the country’s number of operational squadrons.

The development was recently outlined by Mikael Franzen, Saab’s current Gripen marketing director and vice-president of the company’s aeronautical business area. He stated: “In our discussions with the Government of India, we proposed establishing the world’s most advanced aerospace industrial facility, covering design, production and multi-level maintenance.”

The executive also said that the Gripen stands out from other market contenders due to its advanced technology, which is compatible with the platforms currently operated by the country. He further presented it as an affordable aircraft, enabling the Indian Air Force to procure it rapidly and in substantial numbers.

Gripen E/F deliveries and local production in India

Regarding this point, Saab’s proposals suggest that the force could receive its first aircraft by the end of the third year after the contract is signed. This would involve manufacturing an initial batch of approximately 18 aircraft in Sweden, until the necessary conditions are in place in the Asian country to begin local production.

For the latter aircraft, India could also integrate domestically developed technologies. Once its own fleet has been completed, the country could additionally explore export opportunities.

Saab highlights the Gripen’s technology and industrial benefits

Further promoting the Gripen as an advanced combat platform for India, Franzen stressed that, alongside the prospect of manufacturing it in high volumes, the aircraft would be supplied with the latest electronic warfare upgrades and the capacity to integrate a broad range of weapons.

Another of its strengths, according to Saab, is the incorporation of Artificial Intelligence technology, which remains under development and makes the platform a pioneer when compared with other alternatives.

From an industrial perspective, the company has also expressed its willingness to guarantee the technology transfer required to carry out the programme. Historically, this has been regarded by New Delhi as a decisive factor when acquiring new systems. In short, making the offer more economically attractive, the Swedish company indicated that cooperation with Indian partners could involve more than 300 industrial participants of varying sizes, which could later use the knowledge gained in indigenous projects.

Finally, should it come to fruition, this would not be the only military-industrial project linking India and Saab. Of particular note is the partnership focused on Carl-Gustaf M4 recoilless rifles, which are manufactured in the state of Haryana through Saab FFVO India Pvt Ltd. As would be the case with the Gripen, local production has made it possible to speed up manufacturing and delivery processes, while also giving the country opportunities to sustain its industrial facilities through export agreements for the more than 40 users of the weapon system.

Images used for illustrative purposes.

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