Singapore, Sweden’s SAAB has proposed to the Indian government to build the world’s most advanced aerospace industry, which includes multi-tiered design, production and maintenance as well as the fighter jet Gripen E.
Sweden’s defense agency SAAB said the IAF has room for Gripen fighter jets”In our engagement with the Government of India, we propose to create the world’s most advanced aerospace industry, comprising multi-layered design, production and maintenance,” said Mikael Franzen, Chief Marketing Officer, Gripen, and Vice President of the Swedish Group’s Business Area Aeronautics.
He noted that the Gripen E is the most modern and cost-effective fighter jet system in the market and can significantly enhance air power in the Indian Air Force, with world-leading sensor and networking capabilities.
“The highest availability of any fighter gives an unrivaled combat mass to counter any adversary. The Gripen will fit perfectly in the IAF along with the Rafale and Tejas,” Frazen told PTI at the Singapore Airshow here on February 3-8.
While the IAF operates the Rafale and Tejas fighters, there is a big place for a game changer like the Gripen E on two levels: first, a fighter that is fast and can be fielded in large numbers; Secondly, a technology powerhouse that has already solved the recipe of continuous updates, upgrades and incorporation of latest technologies to become a master of net centric warfare, electronic warfare and kill chain, he highlighted.
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The Gripen E doesn’t just tick all the boxes because its fast-growing AI capabilities already put it ahead of all other fighter aircraft, he detailed about the jet.
The Gripen is the only fighter aircraft capable of incorporating new technology without significant fleet downtime due to its ability to rapidly qualify and certify new software. Gripen provides the Air Force with the unique ability to develop, qualify, integrate and certify their own software without manufacturer involvement, Franzen said.
“The sub will see the largest transfer of technology and capabilities in the history of defense aviation, involving 300 Tier 1,2 and 3 companies, including MSMEs. The industrial capabilities and plethora of new technologies make the Gripen a potential platform to power India’s indigenous fighter projects such as the AMCA,” SWC said.
At the heart of Saber India’s proposal is the fast delivery of aircraft – with the third year of the contract. This is followed by a steep capability ramp-up – to enable the IAF to multiply its fleet options, he said.
“Not only is there a blueprint to rapidly build aircraft out of Sweden and then to India, but also to build an Indian eco-system of Indian companies, in parallel. It will also form a regional industrial hub with significant export opportunities,” he said.
This approach will empower the IAF to incorporate customized national software and AI into highly agile platforms based on Gripen avionics, which can be scaled up as faster processing power and AI develop, Franzen said.
In short, what is different about the SAAB offering is an aircraft that will not only fly in the future, but will form the backbone of a ‘Make in India’ future aircraft that is outside the envelope of any combat aircraft currently, he said.
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