Swedish defence conglomerate SAAB continues to remain optimistic on the India market for its Gripen E fighter jets, with plans to produce it locally under a transfer-of-technology arrangement despite its agreement with the Adani Group to jointly manufacture it no longer being in force.
Speaking to reporters ahead of Aero India 2023, where the company plans to showcase a full scale replica of the latest generation of Gripen E, SAAB India head Mats Palmberg said: “The MoU with Adani was not renewed in 2019 and it was mutually agreed not to renew the agreement. It was signed in 2017.”
He added: “We do not have an Indian partner in mind yet … It depends on what process will be followed for the (Gripen E) programme and whether it will be under the SP (strategic partnership) process or will it be global manufacturing in India followed by Indian solutions. We will sort it out.”
The SP model was rolled out by the Narendra Modi government in 2017 under which only a few market leaders will be allowed to manufacture major defence platforms like fighter jets, submarines and warships for the Indian armed forces in partnership with global manufacturers.
He added that SAAB is still hopeful of the long delayed $19-$20 billion tender for 114 multirole fighter aircraft. The MRFA, the tender for which was issued by the Indian Air Force in April 2019, continues to remain a hotly contested tender by the Ministry of Defence under which it plans to procure latest generation fighter plans.
MFRA is a revived version of the original Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) tender issued by the IAF in 2007 to procure 126 fighter planes from global manufacturers.
The Gripen E faces tough competition from Dassault Aviation’s Rafale, Lockheed Martin’s F-21, Boeing’s F/A-18, and Eurofighter’s Typhoon, apart from Russia’s United Aircraft Corporation and Sukhoi Corporation.
“We are pursuing the MRFA because first, it is an incredible offer … When compared with others, Gripen E has the best solutions. It is a true game changer with first-of-its kind human machine collaboration,” he said.
Carl-Gustaf To Be Produced In India 2024 Onwards
Offering a host of solutions for the armed forces and to also support the government’s ‘Atmanirbhar’ mission, or self-reliance, Palmberg said the entire production line of the Carl-Gustaf will be shifted to India.
The Carl-Gustaf rifles system has been in service with the Indian Army since 1976. Hence, the company plans to manufacture it in India now.
“We will start production of Carl Gustaf weapon systems in India. The plan is to start producing it by 2024. The location of the manufacturing facility will soon be finalised and we have no idea how many units will be produced initially, that depends on the systems we plan to produce here,” said Palmberg.
In India, they will be producing the latest M4 variant of the rifles.
