SAAB still in race for MMRCA tender with Gripen IN version
Swedish SAAB Group is looking at a procurement opportunity in C4i, Electronic Warfare, missile and Weapons systems, radars and maritime and civil security in addition to the MMRCA fighter tender altogether estimated at $17 billion in India. As for the Gripen fighter jet, SAAB is waiting to hear from the MOD as to the next step in the bidding process which is the flight trials for field evaluation. After submitting the detailed response to the RFP last year, SAAB was asked to provide certain clarifications by Indian authorities, which have been addressed. SAAB has reiterated that it exceeds all requirements as outlined in the RFP and has fielded the Gripen.IN version for the IAF tender. The Gripen IN version for India has been developed to have engines with 20% more thrust, an ASEA radar, 10 weapons hard-points against 8 in other versions, supercruise capability, 30% more fuel, infra red search and track (IRST) system besides new avionics systems and ultrafast data download and ethernet. Besides, the Gripen has a very short scramble and turnaround time and in response to a specific threat, it can be scrambled in a minute. What might just work for the Gripen is that SAAB are willing to provide complete transfer of technology which means the intellectual property behind the Gripen will be with the Indians and they could make future versions on their own, if they wish. Also on offer is the complete independence regarding the type of weapons they wish to equip the Gripen with.
Back