SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
Saab Aeronautics has positioned its Gripen-E fighter jet as a frontrunner in the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) tender for 114 advanced jets by highlighting its adaptability and compatibility with Indian-made weapons, including the Astra Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missile (BVRAAM) series. Per-Olof Marklund, Director and Head of Technology and Innovation at Saab Aeronautics, emphasized the Gripen-E’s flexible and open avionics architecture, which enables rapid integration of weapons and systems, sometimes in just hours.
This capability, driven by the jet’s unique split avionics architecture, offers India a versatile platform tailored to its self-reliance goals under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative.
Equipped with the Leonardo Raven ES-05 Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar, Skyward-G Infrared Search and Track (IRST), and an electronic warfare suite, the Gripen-E provides 360-degree situational awareness and robust countermeasures against threats like stealth aircraft.
With a 93% mission-capable rate, the Gripen-E ensures high sortie rates, critical for the IAF’s operational tempo against regional threats from China and Pakistan. Saab’s offer includes 100% Transfer of Technology (ToT), local production in partnership with the Adani Group, and source-code sharing, aligning with India’s goal of building a domestic aerospace ecosystem.
Per-Olof Marklund, speaking at a recent defense seminar covered by idrw.org, underscored the Gripen-E’s split avionics architecture as a game-changer for weapon integration. Unlike traditional fighters, where avionics are tightly coupled, the Gripen-E separates mission-critical systems (e.g., flight control) from mission-specific systems (e.g., weapons and sensors). This modular design, supported by an open architecture, allows rapid integration of new weapons and avionics without extensive software rewrites.
The Gripen-E’s Mission System Software (MSS) uses standardized interfaces, allowing plug-and-play integration of weapons and sensors. Updates can be rolled out during operations, ensuring combat readiness. : Compliance with NATO standards and Saab’s proprietary data links enables interoperability with Indian and allied systems, such as the IAF’s Integrated Air Command and Control System (IACCS).
The architecture supports future upgrades, including artificial intelligence (AI)-based targeting and networked warfare, aligning with the IAF’s vision for 2035. This adaptability makes the Gripen-E an ideal platform for integrating Indian missiles, particularly the Astra BVRAAM series, which includes the Astra Mk-1 (110 km range), Mk-2 (160 km), and the under-development Mk-3 (350 km, ramjet-powered). Other potential integrations include the Rudram anti-radiation missile, Smart Anti-Airfield Weapon (SAAW), and BrahMos-NG, enhancing the jet’s compatibility with India’s indigenous arsenal.
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