Saab Deepens India Footprint, Plans Made-in-India Anti-Ship Missile

Swedish defence behemoth Saab is deepening its commitment to India's burgeoning defence market. Building upon its recent announcement of a Carl-Gustaf M4 manufacturing facility in Haryana, Saab now reveals plans for a potential expansion into anti-ship missile production.

Saab's Indian Ambitions​

Saab's March 2024 announcement signaled a clear intent to move beyond mere sales and establish a robust manufacturing base within India. Their 3.6-acre facility at MET City, Jhajjar, marks their first production site outside their home country of Sweden and will focus on the iconic Carl-Gustaf M4 shoulder-fired weapon system.

However, the company's ambitions extend further. Saab is actively exploring the possibility of producing the advanced RBS15 anti-ship missile in India. The RBS15 is a highly versatile weapon system, featuring both anti-ship and land-attack capabilities. Its powerful 200kg warhead and a range of over 300km make it a formidable asset.

Focus on Air-Launched RBS15 Variant​

Saab appears particularly interested in the air-launched variant of the RBS15. This focus likely stems from Saab's ongoing efforts to secure the Indian Air Force's (IAF) Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) tender, where they are proposing their Gripen-E fighter. Offering an Indian-produced RBS15 that is readily integrated with the Gripen-E could give Saab a competitive edge in the MRFA bid.

Navigating Complexities​

The path towards RBS15 manufacturing in India is not without its complexities. For Saab, the ultimate decision depends heavily on securing Indian procurement for the missile.

Additionally, the Defence Research and Development Organization's (DRDO) ongoing development of indigenous anti-ship missiles adds an element of uncertainty.

If India pursues a domestically developed solution, it's unclear whether Saab would still establish RBS15 production independently.

Conclusion​

Saab's heightened presence in India exemplifies the growing strategic and economic partnership between the two nations.

While the future of RBS15 manufacturing in India remains contingent on various factors, Saab's moves underscore their long-term commitment to playing a significant role in India's defence modernization.

 

[PARTHAJIT JANA]

Invest in Indian offensive wepons systems. Sweden has become almost an islamic country. For votebank,they will stop supplying these weapons parts during war. No offensive weapons should be bought from other countries. We dont have war reserves. Literally we had to buy weapons at 1.5 times the original value during Galwan and doklam for emergency procurement from France and Israel.

 

[Pink Panther]

Something smells in the air.

 

[Deepak Hegde]

Invest in Indian offensive wepons systems. Sweden has become almost an islamic country. For votebank,they will stop supplying these weapons parts during war. No offensive weapons should be bought from other countries. We dont have war reserves. Literally we had to buy weapons at 1.5 times the original value during Galwan and doklam for emergency procurement from France and Israel.

Don't blame other countries for our lack of planning for war reserves and chalta hai attitude. Emergency procurement always costs more. we have to have to common sense to stock up in peacetime!

 

[charminar_waale_ismail_bhai]

One should learn art of perseverance from SaaB.
They never lose hope in the Indian defence market.

 

[sanket]

One should learn art of perseverance from SaaB.
They never lose hope in the Indian defence market.

Specially Indian pvt players who expect to get secure business.

 

[sanket]

Thats right if india opts for domestic option for Anti-ship missile it will b testing Time for Saab , will they process Manufacturing RBS15.

 

[charminar_waale_ismail_bhai]

Specially Indian pvt players who expect to get secure business.

See, you can't compare.
If you want to understand, put yourself in their shoes and imagine. For a corporate entity emerging out of India, to do businesses in a nation which is socialist by economic policy, third-world by infrastructure and capitalist by competition, every management will play once bitten twice shy, especially when that organization has its employee and finances on the line.

Our private players are still rather new to the game and the sector will see nascent participation for the foreseeable future.

 

[Superpower Bharat]

2-3 type of missile in this same category of missile are in the final stage of development in India by DRDO and Pvt companies.. I don't thin RBS15 and grab any customer in India..

 

[Kira]

Instead SAAB should create a facility for potentially manufacturing should fired SAMs,as Russians won't be able to supply newer version of Igla in sufficient numbers,and too India should look towards the Swedes for fulfilling this requirement.

 

[alpha numeric]

See, you can't compare.
If you want to understand, put yourself in their shoes and imagine. For a corporate entity emerging out of India, to do businesses in a nation which is socialist by economic policy, third-world by infrastructure and capitalist by competition, every management will play once bitten twice shy, especially when that organization has its employee and finances on the line.

Our private players are still rather new to the game and the sector will see nascent participation for the foreseeable future.

Love the unholy trifecta. Somebody has made a comment to this effect before, can't recall who. We have the worst aspects of capitalism and socialism under the worst form of a governance- A federal democracy with a weak central govt that tries act strong.

 

[The Presence]

This missile is so basic it looks like Abhyas lol

 

[Apocalypse gupta]

Relying on sweden is risky. These europeans often love to blow the trumpet of human rights and pacifism. What if india is in a conflict and these countries refuse to supply parts.

A netherlands court rectly blocked supply of f35 parts to israel over its war vs hamas

 

[Ajath]

Don't blame other countries for our lack of planning for war reserves and chalta hai attitude. Emergency procurement always costs more. we have to have to common sense to stock up in peacetime!

Yes. Their CAARL GUSTAV anti tank factory has been established in India.

 

[Sandeep]

India won't buy these anti ship missiles at all. India already has its own indigenous anti ship missiles like the Brahmos and the recently tested NASM which will eventually replace the Brahmos so there is no severe urgency at all where India will make some foreign panic orders.

India has already made a decision to quickly design, develop, manufacture and install all foreign parts, components and technology with our own indigenously developed and made in India missiles. Also to use this missile it requires them to change the vertical launch system parts, components, dimensions along with the ships software and combat suite. In short it doesn't give India any advantage or any new capabilities which is a game changer and it will be expensive even if the missile is made in India.