According to reports from local media, the Swedish company Saab is once again putting forward proposals to equip the Indian Air Force with its Gripen E/F fighters, adding various options for local production of the aircraft in an effort to secure approval from New Delhi. In this way, the company seeks to redeem itself after losing a previous competition that resulted in the selection of the Dassault-produced Rafale fighter, a major business opportunity that would translate into orders for around 114 aircraft intended to increase the number of the country’s operational squadrons.
The development in question was recently hinted at by the current Gripen marketing director and vice president of aeronautics business at Saab, Mikael Franzen, who stated: “In our contacts with the Indian government, we have proposed the creation of the most advanced aerospace industrial plant in the world, encompassing design, production, and multi-layer maintenance.” In a later remark, the executive indicated that the Gripen stands out among other market candidates due to its advanced technology, which is compatible with India’s current platforms, while also positioning itself as an affordable model, enabling rapid procurement in large numbers by the Indian Air Force.
In relation to the latter point, it should be noted that, according to Saab’s proposals, the service could receive the first aircraft in the third year after the contract is signed. This would involve the production of an initial batch of around 18 aircraft within Swedish territory, until conditions are in place in the Asian country to begin local manufacturing. Regarding these latter units, India could also integrate domestic technologies, while once its own fleet is completed, export possibilities could also be considered.
Expanding on his defense of the Gripen as an advanced combat platform for India, Director Franzen noted that, in addition to the possibility of manufacturing it in large numbers, the aircraft would be delivered equipped with the latest updates in electronic warfare and with the capability to integrate a wide range of weapons. Another of its strengths lies in the integration of Artificial Intelligence technology, which is still under development and which Saab claims makes the platform a pioneer compared to other alternatives.
From an industrial standpoint, the company also expressed its willingness to guarantee the necessary technology transfer to carry out the program, something that New Delhi has historically regarded as a key factor in the acquisition of new systems. In addition, sweetening the proposal from an economic perspective, the Swedish firm suggested that cooperation with Indian partners would allow the involvement of more than 300 industrial players of varying sizes, who could later leverage the lessons learned and apply them to indigenous projects.
Finally, it should be considered that, if finalized, this would not be the only project of this kind linking India and Saab in the military-industrial field. Of particular note is the partnership focused on the Carl-Gustaf M4 recoilless rifles, which are produced 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 accelerate manufacturing and delivery processes, while also providing the country with opportunities to sustain the plants through export agreements for the more than 40 users of the weapon system.
*Images used for illustrative purposes
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