Saab Gripen offers next generation Gripen IN fighter - to tie up with Tata, HAL for offsets

29 Apr 2008

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Mumbai: Saab Gripen, one of the six contenders for the Indian Air Force's (IAF) estimated $11-billion medium range multi-role combat aircraft (MMRCA) tender, is considering tie-ups with Indian aerospace companies, both private sector and state-owned for production of airframe and components. It said it is in talks with state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics (HAL) and the Tata Group to partner it in the offsets programme for its Gripen fighter aircraft.

Speaking to the local media on the day of submitting its request for proposal (RFP) for the tender, Ake Svensson, CEO and president of Saab AB, identified HAL and the Tata Group as the companies that it was in talks with, though it refused to identify the nature of the components that it would like to source through these companies.

The Tata Group has already entered into agreements with Boeing Integrated Defense Systems for F/A-18E/F Super Hornet components.

Saab unveiled a next generation fighter, dubbed the Gripen NG, early last week which it intends to field for the MMRCA deal, re-designated as the Gripen IN.

According to Svensson, the aircraft comes with a new avionics suite, an Active Electronic Scanned Array (AESA) radar and an upgrade to its General Electric 414 engine and weapons systems. He said that the aircraft has been developed to meet customer requirements, such as those of India.

Svensson said that the Gripen would be perfect for Indian requirements and complement the heavy Su-30MKIs well. A reliable single engine and low cost of maintenance would make the aircraft a viable option for India.

As a group, Saab AB would also offer civilian security systems to India to guard nuclear and other sensitive installations. These systems would include radars and armoured control systems.

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