SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
As India ramps up its efforts to procure 114 fighter jets for the Indian Air Force (IAF) under the Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) tender, Saab India has been aggressively promoting its Gripen-E fighter jet as a top contender. In a bid to enhance its appeal, Saab has announced that it is open to integrating Indian-made weapons into the Made in India Gripen-E fighter jets and is willing to collaborate with the IAF on software development to ensure a smooth integration process.
Saab India has reaffirmed its commitment to the Make in India initiative, promising to develop the Gripen-E fighter jet in India if selected for the MRFA contract. The company is also open to incorporating a wide array of Indian-made weapons, such as the Astra beyond visual range air-to-air missile, the Rudram anti-radiation missile, and the Smart Anti-Airfield Weapon (SAAW).
A senior Saab India official, speaking to idrw.org on the condition of anonymity, highlighted the simplicity of the weapons integration process, stating that it primarily involves software upgrades to the core weapons system computer. Saab engineers are ready to collaborate with the IAF’s Aircraft & Systems Testing Establishment (ASTE) to ensure that the integration is streamlined during the early stages of production. This approach would enable the IAF to deploy its Indigenous weaponry on the Gripen-E, thereby enhancing the aircraft’s versatility and compatibility with India’s existing defence infrastructure.
Saab’s offer to work closely with the IAF to develop the necessary software for weapon integration is a significant move, signalling the company’s willingness to customize the Gripen-E for Indian operational needs. By collaborating with ASTE, Saab aims to ensure that Indian weapons systems can be seamlessly integrated without any delays or complications, effectively giving the IAF more autonomy and operational flexibility.
When questioned about whether Saab would provide the source code for the Raven ES-05 radar, which is a key component of the Gripen-E’s sensor suite, the Saab India official confirmed that this radar was developed by Leonardo Aerospace, Defence and Security. The official assured that Leonardo is fully on board with Saab’s plans, implying that there would be no issues in ensuring the radar’s compatibility with Indian operational requirements. However, it remains unclear whether the IAF would demand complete access to the source code, a sensitive issue often tied to technology transfer and strategic autonomy.
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