GRIPEN-E
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).
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
In the race for India’s highly anticipated Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) deal, Swedish defense technology giant Saab has made significant strides by offering to establish full-scale production of its Gripen fighter jets in India. Kent-Ake Molin, Saab Campaign Director and Head of Gripen for India Programme (Business Area Aeronautics), recently emphasized the company’s commitment to indigenization and localization efforts in India. He stated, “We foresee that we can set up full-scale production in India, which will include everything; not just airframe, but also systems and software.”
Saab’s proposal goes beyond just delivering aircraft; it aims to create an entire ecosystem centered around the Gripen platform in India. The defense major has been in favorable discussions with multiple private partners, laying the groundwork for what Molin referred to as a “rapid indigenization” strategy. This move aligns with the Indian government’s Make in India initiative, aimed at boosting domestic defense manufacturing capabilities and reducing reliance on foreign imports.
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