Gripen opens shop ahead of MMRCA field trials

New Delhi: Ahead of the commencement of field trials for the proposed 126 medium range multi-role combat aircraft (MMRCA) contract for the Indian Air Force (IAF) sometime in the months of  April-May, Swedish arms manufacturer SAAB has opened an office in the nation's capital as part of its "efforts to market products for defence and civil security in the Indian market".

SAAB is the parent company of Gripen International which is marketing the JAS-39IN fighter, one of the six contenders in the race for the MMRCA contract.

Senior company officials extolled the virtues of the Gripen aircraft, saying it was "one of the most advanced fighter aircraft in its category," and also that it was one of the "…world's most technologically advanced multi-role fighter aircraft with futuristic warfare technologies."

Officials also said that the company favoured "extensive transfer of technology" which would exceed the 60 per cent industrial offset requirements of the contract. Such extensive transfers would boost India's indigenous manufacturing capabilities.

"Gripen would like to provide strategic leverage, operational dominance and define future capability of India by becoming an independent manufacturer. We would help India in designing and manufacturing their own aircraft," country head and vice-president of SAAB International Jan Widerstrom said.

"We have offered transfer of technology levels far exceeding the RFP (request for proposal) requirements of the Indian Air Force (IAF). An early transfer of technology would be ensured to maximize indigenous capabilities," Widerstrom said.

Widerstrom also informed that three aircraft would be brought to India for the trials, including two and single-seaters. He also said that trials would be conducted for dry, dry and humid, and humid conditions."

Apart from the Gripen, the Eurofighter Typhoon, Boeing's F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, Lockheed Martin's F-16, Dassault's Rafale and the Russian MiG-35 are in the fray for the contract.

Widerstrom also contended that the Gripen JAS-39 had an edge over the competitors due to its "low cycle cost" and "range and payload capabilities" which were beyond IAF's operational requirements.

"Gripen has a very low life cycle cost," he said.

Elaborating on the company's India outlook, Widerstrom said that the country was a key market for his company and so it would make long-term commitments. "We are offering our high-tech portfolio to the Indian Army, the air force and the navy. We will be further enhancing our presence to ensure full support to our customers. SAAB is actively looking for long-term cooperation with Indian government and private industries," he said.

In December 2008, SAAB bagged a contract for the supply of Integrated Defensive Aids Suite for HAL's Dhruv Advanced Light Helicopter project.