Saab Offers "Make in India" Gripen-E and Expertise for AMCA Production in Bold MRFA Bid

Swedish defence company Saab has presented a compelling proposal for India's Medium Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) tender, offering not just its Gripen-E fighter jet, but a comprehensive package that includes a "Make in India" production strategy and support for India's indigenous Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) program. This strategic move aims to position Saab as a key partner in enhancing India's domestic fighter jet manufacturing capabilities.

Saab's proposal includes establishing a production line for the Gripen-E in India, leveraging the country's skilled workforce and potential for advanced digital engineering techniques.

But going beyond simply manufacturing the Gripen-E in India, Saab has also offered to share its expertise and technology to support the production of India's AMCA, a fifth-generation fighter jet currently under development. This collaboration would involve transferring knowledge and technology in areas such as digital engineering, advanced materials, and avionics, helping India establish a modern and efficient manufacturing ecosystem for advanced fighter aircraft.

Saab officials highlight the company's experience with recent projects like the Gripen-E, which have allowed them to refine their high-tech production capabilities. They believe this expertise can be invaluable to India as it embarks on the ambitious AMCA program. This offer goes beyond fulfilling the immediate requirements of the MRFA tender, demonstrating Saab's commitment to a long-term partnership with India in developing its indigenous defence capabilities.

The AMCA program represents a significant leap in India's indigenous fighter jet development. It is also set to involve the Indian private defence sector in manufacturing for the first time, marking a shift from the traditional reliance on the state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). While HAL will continue to play a role, Saab's support could be crucial in bridging technology gaps and accelerating the AMCA's development.

Saab's assistance in modernizing the AMCA production line could lead to significant gains in cost-effectiveness and efficiency. Furthermore, the offer of technology transfer and production assistance aligns with India's self-reliance goals in defence manufacturing, supporting the government's vision of achieving greater autonomy in defence capabilities.

 

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[PKPRS]

Amazing, this jet would be the most practical and affordable jet for MRFA provided we make GE F414 engine locally, best approach would be to make 200 each of Gripen-E and Tejas MK2 by the same private/public company and be done with the 4th gen MWF jet category and better focus on 5th and 6th gen platforms there after instead of wasting time. SAAB is also working on a 6th gen jet named Flygsystem 2020 independently after quitting Tempest program that we can collaborate with.

 

[sanket]

Gripen Fighter jet is not the ideal requirement of IAF, First it is Single Engine second Most of the components are Imported again Bharat have to depend upon other nation for components , its Just like similar situation Like Eurofighter. Bharat want to depend on single Nation for MRFA

 

[Varaaah]

There is also a political side. The North Europeans are not reliable

 

[tipoo2]

Gripen Fighter jet is not the ideal requirement of IAF, First it is Single Engine second Most of the components are Imported again Bharat have to depend upon other nation for components , its Just like similar situation Like Eurofighter. Bharat want to depend on single Nation for MRFA

Plane
Edit: I take it your one word comment followed by editing is an attempt to be first which doesn't really appear that way when most everyone sorts by best lol

 

[Satya Dev]

IAF has already expressed preference for twin engine fighter plane for the MRFA deal - so that almost rules out Gripen-E & F-21. They may also not prefer F-15EX since it's a HW category, in which we already have Su30Mki.

 

[Dipesh Debnath]

This Grippen fighter is good..could bridge the gap till LCA comes up and ready.

 

[vasu gali]

Instead of a 4.5 generation GRIPEN E, India should better consider 5th generation SU 57 with full ToT to bridge the time gap between 2025 and 2035 when AMCA is expected

 

[Akshat]

Amazing, this jet would be the most practical and affordable jet for MRFA provided we make GE F414 engine locally, best approach would be to make 200 each of Gripen-E and Tejas MK2 by the same private/public company and be done with the 4th gen MWF jet category and better focus on 5th and 6th gen platforms there after instead of wasting time. SAAB is also working on a 6th gen jet named Flygsystem 2020 independently after quitting Tempest program that we can collaborate with.

Sorry, India doesn’t need junk planes that no one in the world wants and which even the home country doesn’t make more than 40% of, including the engines. So no thanks.

 

[Akshat]

This Grippen fighter is good..could bridge the gap till LCA comes up and ready.

It’s not. It failed the field trials during MMRCA.

 

[Akshat]

Instead of a 4.5 generation GRIPEN E, India should better consider 5th generation SU 57 with full ToT to bridge the time gap between 2025 and 2035 when AMCA is expected

First, ToT is not available from Russians. Second, IAF has already rejected the plane. Third, even the Russians have rejected the plane. 😂😂

 

[Dipesh Debnath]

It’s not. It failed the field trials during MMRCA.

Ok, cancelled this one. But tell me which one to buy.

 

[Akshat]

Ok, cancelled this one. But tell me which one to buy.

IAF is more than competent to tell us that. It’s not my decision buddy.

 

[Sridhar]

Sorry, India doesn’t need junk planes that no one in the world wants and which even the home country doesn’t make more than 40% of, including the engines. So no thanks.

With all due respects, J 39 is definitely not a junk. It's an advanced fighter jet with a 4.5 gen technology. The question is whether IAF will go for

1. A new jet, new vendor, necessity to create a new inventory and overall cost which includes weapons, training and other infrastructure.
2. Single Engine, MTTR, MTBO factor, SCM factor, technology relevance and post sales service assurance.
3. Finally IAF / Political decision.

Unless there is a sudden shift in IAF's thinking, IAF will settle for a known devil rather than an unknown angel.
By the way RAFALE is a devil for its adversaries.

 

[raju]

Sorry, India doesn’t need junk planes that no one in the world wants and which even the home country doesn’t make more than 40% of, including the engines. So no thanks.

Gripen E is one of the Best aircrafts in the world, what is lagging is Political power from Sweden. Gripen E is far better then F 21, Mig 35 and it is relatively cheaper too

 

[raju]

Ok, cancelled this one. But tell me which one to buy.

my choice is SAAB Gripen E.

 

[PKPRS]

IAF has already expressed preference for twin engine fighter plane for the MRFA deal - so that almost rules out Gripen-E & F-21. They may also not prefer F-15EX since it's a HW category, in which we already have Su30Mki.

not really, otherwise single engine planes won’t be in the contender list.

 

[Sridhar]

Gripen E is one of the Best aircrafts in the world, what is lagging is Political power from Sweden. Gripen E is far better then F 21, Mig 35 and it is relatively cheaper too

I agree with your views on MiG 35. J39 is not superior to F 21 aka F16 Viper.
Mig 35 is a non starter.

 

[Sridhar]

Instead of a 4.5 generation GRIPEN E, India should better consider 5th generation SU 57 with full ToT to bridge the time gap between 2025 and 2035 when AMCA is expected

SU 57 is not considered to be a true 5th gen fighter jet even by their chum pal, the Chinese.

 

[Akshat]

Gripen E is one of the Best aircrafts in the world, what is lagging is Political power from Sweden. Gripen E is far better then F 21, Mig 35 and it is relatively cheaper too

Well it’s surely not cheap. If you look at the final compensation paid by Brazil to Saab, it topped 9.1 billion USD, which makes the deal even more expensive than the Rafales bought by India. And Meteor was sold separately in that deal.

As for being a good plane, it failed the field trials in MMRCA.

 

[The Dark Knight]

Either go with Rafael F4 or Make more Super sukhois. TejasMk2 and AMCA are our future. We shouldn't dilute it.

 

[Sandeep]

SU 57 is not considered to be a true 5th gen fighter jet even by their chum pal, the Chinese.

Neither is the Chinese jets a true 5th generation jet.

 

[Sandeep]

The MRFA isn’t going ahead at all!

 

[prasant kumar shaarma]

Amazing, this jet would be the most practical and affordable jet for MRFA provided we make GE F414 engine locally, best approach would be to make 200 each of Gripen-E and Tejas MK2 by the same private/public company and be done with the 4th gen MWF jet category and better focus on 5th and 6th gen platforms there after instead of wasting time. SAAB is also working on a 6th gen jet named Flygsystem 2020 independently after quitting Tempest program that we can collaborate with.

Seems to be a good proposal if there's no arm twisting.
But it would be naive to think so
The moment GE 404 engine supply is disrupted, Saab will be not be seen around us.

 

[Kjell]

It’s not. It failed the field trials during MMRCA.

Your comment is rather tiresome as the first Gripen E prototype flew in June 2017 so it cannot have lost.

 

[Akshat]

Your comment is rather tiresome as the first Gripen E prototype flew in June 2017 so it cannot have lost.

Well it was Gripen E (or rather Gripen IN) was offered to us. It was based on Gripen NG, which came for trials. It lost. That flew around 2007 itself. So it is your knowledge that hutch is rather tiresome.

 

[Kjell]

Well it was Gripen E (or rather Gripen IN) was offered to us. It was based on Gripen NG, which came for trials. It lost. That flew around 2007 itself. So it is your knowledge that hutch is rather tiresome.

It was the Gripen Demo which was based on a two-seater Gripen so it wasn't the Gripen E so the Gripen E didn't lose.

 

[Rama Hota]

Every one will promise to give support for AMCA program to get Indian fighters deals but SAAB never produced a single 5th generation fighter so how come they promise to give support for AMCA...

 

[Dredd]

Every one will promise to give support for AMCA program to get Indian fighters deals but SAAB never produced a single 5th generation fighter so how come they promise to give support for AMCA...

who has produced except USA, which will not give you any know how of it. SAAB is partner in Tempest program so they will have experience in future technologies.

 

[Sridhar]

Gripen Fighter jet is not the ideal requirement of IAF, First it is Single Engine second Most of the components are Imported again Bharat have to depend upon other nation for components , its Just like similar situation Like Eurofighter. Bharat want to depend on single Nation for MRFA

No company in the world makes every single component it requires for its products. Any manufacturer will have his / her own vendors. The question now is how reliable and robust is their supply chain - no. 1
No..2 - How far will they be able to create SCM with Indian co.s if they are awarded a contract ?
The company which meets the above criteria will be the frontrunner for the deal considering political and military decision.