Saab Reiterates Gripen E/F Jet Offer to India with 3-Year Delivery and Full Technology Transfer under $20 Billion MRFA Deal

Bengaluru, India – Swedish defence giant Saab has thrown its hat into the ring for the Indian Air Force's (IAF) Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) deal, offering its Gripen E/F fighter jet with a compelling proposition: delivery of the first indigenously-built aircraft within three years and complete technology transfer. This comes as the IAF looks to procure 114 new fighter jets under the 'Make in India' initiative, a contract estimated to be worth $20 billion.

Saab is emphasizing its commitment to technology transfer and local production. Kent-Ake Molin, Saab's Campaign Director and Head of Gripen for India Programme, 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. We've a plan to rapidly indigenise the platform." He further highlighted ongoing discussions with Indian private sector partners to support this ambitious goal.

The Gripen E/F is competing against formidable rivals such as the Dassault Rafale, Boeing F/A-18 Super Hornet, Lockheed Martin F-21, MiG-35, and Eurofighter Typhoon. The IAF's requirements mandate significant technology transfer and the establishment of manufacturing lines in India, aiming to boost the country's domestic defence industry.

The Gripen E/F has also seen export success with Brazil and Thailand, which could further bolster its appeal to the IAF.

Saab aims to build a complete ecosystem around the Gripen in India, leveraging its experience from responding to the 2018 RFI and subsequent engagements with the IAF. Molin emphasized the company's readiness to deliver aircraft swiftly, supported by Indian partners, within the three-year timeframe.

Saab has been actively engaging with Indian defence companies like the Adani Group to explore potential partnerships for Gripen production in India.

While some components, like the engine, are sourced from global Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), Saab highlighted the indigenous nature of the Gripen's avionics, software, mission computers, and sensor fusion capabilities. Molin stressed Saab's internal expertise in radar, electronic warfare systems, and weapon systems, emphasizing the potential for integrating Indian-made equipment onto the Gripen platform.

The Gripen E/F boasts advanced features like AI integration for enhanced pilot decision-making, network-enabled capabilities for seamless interoperability with other platforms, and a commitment to periodic software upgrades to ensure the aircraft remains at the cutting edge of technology.

This aggressive bid by Saab, with its focus on technology transfer and rapid delivery, adds another layer of complexity to India's high-stakes MRFA competition. The IAF's decision will have significant implications for the future of India's air power and its domestic defence industry.

 

[padmanabhan Sai Krishna]

Any girl can fly grippen fighter aircraft and advance book the seat of chief of Air staff Indian Air force !! These days all these technologies are going obsolete in 8 years so we don't really assembly line production of this kambakht aircraft.

 

[Aja Raja]

India should seriously consider the tech transfer part. We get tech of not just the airframe but the metallurgy of the turbine blades and then we can innovate on this design with ease.

 

[guest]

This company seems be apest like Mosquito, even when India shows no interest as it may not suit for requirements it keeps on pestering.

 

[swatkats_razor]

Confidence ho toh SaaB jaisi ho, warnaa naa ho!!

After being grossly sidelined from the very beginning of MMRCA, they haven't yet given up on soliciting expectations.

 

[sanket]

SaaB want to meet some parameters set for Production of fighter jet & delivering within 3 years from Local assembly plant second they have Latest design over F-16 , Third they have got good Radar than F-16 Atleast they are ahead But question remains on Engine ..................??? Even after so many years in Fighter jet Production cant develop own Aero-Engine , after doing Copy-paste / screw driver Job for decades if they have Mastered the Tech of Aero-Engine they have consolidated their postion in Export market of Fighter jet , China is better than Saab atleast they develop w-series by reverse Engg

 

[linus52]

Private firms should design, develop - build its own jet engine and rest of fighter aircraft like China

 

[Pad UwU]

The Swedish Saab offer is so tempting and more plausible than waiting Tejas mk1a delivery that is always flagged with delays and issues 😹😹😹

 

[Anant]

Confidence ho toh SaaB jaisi ho, warnaa naa ho!!

After being grossly sidelined from the very beginning of MMRCA, they haven't yet given up on soliciting expectations.

Their biggest flex and hope right now is probably Adani. Or have they broken that partnership by now? (I remember hearing something like this but can’t recall for sure)

 

[Saptarshi Dasgupta]

What makes SAAB offer hot?

• TOT , source codes and softwares and this time GEF414 TOT won’t be an issue since we have secured the deal.
• Top notch avionics and Sensor fusion . Raven AESA will get gallium nitride in near future . Saab has started testing using the Leonardo platform. Wise area display which Rafale does not have and world class Saab ew systems
• Cheaper price. A flyway Gripen E costs 85 million dollars and if weapons maintenance spares and full costs are considered it will be around 170-180 million compared to 250 million of Rafale
• IAF wanted a Meteor missile fighter and Gripen E is a meteor fighter
• SAAB integrates weapons of all countries from US France UK Germany Sweden Israel and they have agreed to integrate Indian weapons too
• SAAB has lesser orders which means faster delivery vis a vis Rafale.
• it is a newer design and an eurocanard. In dogfights Gripen e is a great jet.
• for taking on J-10, J-16 and even J-20 and J-31 this is a cheaper jet which can do the Job
• Gripen E is a no frills jet. And in case Tejas MK2 is delayed we will have a good alternative . It won’t cannibalise Tejas mk1a and mk2 but will complement them.

 

[Ray]

SaaB want to meet some parameters set for Production of fighter jet & delivering within 3 years from Local assembly plant second they have Latest design over F-16 , Third they have got good Radar than F-16 Atleast they are ahead But question remains on Engine ..................??? Even after so many years in Fighter jet Production cant develop own Aero-Engine , after doing Copy-paste / screw driver Job for decades if they have Mastered the Tech of Aero-Engine they have consolidated their postion in Export market of Fighter jet , China is better than Saab atleast they develop w-series by reverse Engg

It's pressure of US and not the saab's inefficiency. They could have developed engine, if not alone then with any European partner. But US don't want more competition in this section, but want a good market for their products.

 

[Akshat]

What makes SAAB offer hot?

• TOT , source codes and softwares and this time GEF414 TOT won’t be an issue since we have secured the deal.
• Top notch avionics and Sensor fusion . Raven AESA will get gallium nitride in near future . Saab has started testing using the Leonardo platform. Wise area display which Rafale does not have and world class Saab ew systems
• Cheaper price. A flyway Gripen E costs 85 million dollars and if weapons maintenance spares and full costs are considered it will be around 170-180 million compared to 250 million of Rafale
• IAF wanted a Meteor missile fighter and Gripen E is a meteor fighter
• SAAB integrates weapons of all countries from US France UK Germany Sweden Israel and they have agreed to integrate Indian weapons too
• SAAB has lesser orders which means faster delivery vis a vis Rafale.
• it is a newer design and an eurocanard. In dogfights Gripen e is a great jet.
• for taking on J-10, J-16 and even J-20 and J-31 this is a cheaper jet which can do the Job
• Gripen E is a no frills jet. And in case Tejas MK2 is delayed we will have a good alternative . It won’t cannibalise Tejas mk1a and mk2 but will complement them.

Quite a few inconsistencies, buddy. Firstly the price. Gripen was sold to Brazil for over 250 million USD, well over the price we paid for Rafale. Secondly, it’s not a new design. The design was offered and tested in MMRCA and failed field trials. Moreover, the GaN radar is no surety, while Rafale will have it in production variants from 2025 itself. Then, the lower orders means they don’t have the infrastructure, so much will take time to scale up. On the other hand, France can deliver 12 jets annually from 2026 to India if need be. There is so much spare capacity. It can further go up to 24 if need be.

The payload is also too low. IAF and ADA call Mk2 a LCA, so it’s not even a medium category fighter as the payload is similar to Mk2. There is no voice assisted cockpit either like Rafale. They made Brazil pay for the wide area display, who knows what they will make us pay for.

 

[kurtwallis wallis]

Confidence ho toh SaaB jaisi ho, warnaa naa ho!!

After being grossly sidelined from the very beginning of MMRCA, they haven't yet given up on soliciting expectations.

MK2 is a flawed design and will crash after 1st test flight only! This is THE BEST option available now for IAF i.e., if they do not take 100% make in India clause. BUT, take direct deliveries from Sweden 72 nos. Gripen-E jets for now. Cancel MRFA tender next; and go with HAL-Saab-L&T MRO facility for ToT's and integrations of all DRDO made missiles and bombs. This will be the L-1 LOWEST costs option than compared to Typhoon-F15EX-Rafale F4.2-F18SH jets. Later on, when AMCA is delayed further then purchase F5 Rafales in good numbers G2G direct deliveries deal...... F21 will be much more cheaper but IAF HATES this jet....

 

[Sandeep]

The jet and its technology is quite good and advanced but as always the devil is in the details. We will need to know how much critical technology they will give us, how much local manufacturing they allow and with how much indigenous raw material content is allowed in that as well.

The main issue is that the jet uses a lot of foreign critical equipment and technology which means that those countries can refuse to transfer that technology, knowledge and selling it to us. This leaves us strategically vulnerable to national and international competition, threats, political policy and international relations.

 

[Paul]

Within 3 years we have flying prototype of MK2. Rafale is the perfect choice.

 

[Bhishma]

How exactly this thing is different from Tejas ? GE is a big no no. We should have learnt our lesson by now. Just focus on scaling up production of Tejas with local private players. F the foreign jets and foreign engines. We have already a working jet & another upgraded version in couple years. Why waste money on this $hit. By the time we get it in our hands, we will have our Mk2 ready. Increase the effort on Kaveri testing & master it. Poach good talent from engine makers & iron out the remaining problems.

 

[Sudha]

MK2 is a flawed design and will crash after 1st test flight only! This is THE BEST option available now for IAF i.e., if they do not take 100% make in India clause. BUT, take direct deliveries from Sweden 72 nos. Gripen-E jets for now. Cancel MRFA tender next; and go with HAL-Saab-L&T MRO facility for ToT's and integrations of all DRDO made missiles and bombs. This will be the L-1 LOWEST costs option than compared to Typhoon-F15EX-Rafale F4.2-F18SH jets. Later on, when AMCA is delayed further then purchase F5 Rafales in good numbers G2G direct deliveries deal...... F21 will be much more cheaper but IAF HATES this jet....

WOW! The desktop expert has given his judgement!! One has to fire all involved in development of Tejas mk2 due to the expert opinion of kurtwallis wallis who is better than the ADA experts who have checked all the parameters of Tejasmk2. Better to take consultancy with wallis. 🤣😂😆😄😃😁👺

 

[Surendra Barsode]

1. Basic question is - As India is developing Tejas IA, II and AMCA, why do we need MRFA at all? The production can be given to private companies too besides HAL.

2. SaaB will have same issues as we are having with supply of GE 404 engines! So how can we get out of that situation with GE?

3. If Gripen is so good now, why IAF did not select it initially when Rafale was chosen for MRFA or when 36 Rafales were purchased off the shelf?

 

[Anant]

1. Basic question is - As India is developing Tejas IA, II and AMCA, why do we need MRFA at all? The production can be given to private companies too besides HAL.

2. SaaB will have same issues as we are having with supply of GE 404 engines! So how can we get out of that situation with GE?

3. If Gripen is so good now, why IAF did not select it initially when Rafale was chosen for MRFA or when 36 Rafales were purchased off the shelf?

1. Yes, because developing an aircraft is not the same as manufacturing it. As at present, our developmental cycles are long, and our production rates are abysmal. In that scenario, given that suppliers of subsystems to Indian-developed jets will not be able to scale up fast enough to allow a much higher production rate (which is needed to get the IAF back up to the requisite strength), MRFA is needed.

2. The Gripen-E uses the F414 engine, which we would be building under license in India.

 

[Akshat]

WOW! The desktop expert has given his judgement!! One has to fire all involved in development of Tejas mk2 due to the expert opinion of kurtwallis wallis who is better than the ADA experts who have checked all the parameters of Tejasmk2. Better to take consultancy with wallis. 🤣😂😆😄😃😁👺

I don’t know if they have checked the parameters or not, but a plane that was supposed to get into production in 2016 has not yet been rolled out. Thousands of crores were wasted and the last design failed completely leading to a brand new design. That sounds like ground to fire them all, no?

 

[Anubhav Sharma]

Guys before drooling over Saab plz consider logistics and maintenance issue one major we support russian and french is coz of commonality of our planes we already operate some of their fighters and have some idea about them.also having too many varieties will lead to logistics havoc

 

[Akshat]

The jet and its technology is quite good and advanced but as always the devil is in the details. We will need to know how much critical technology they will give us, how much local manufacturing they allow and with how much indigenous raw material content is allowed in that as well.

The main issue is that the jet uses a lot of foreign critical equipment and technology which means that those countries can refuse to transfer that technology, knowledge and selling it to us. This leaves us strategically vulnerable to national and international competition, threats, political policy and international relations.

Neither the jet nor the tech is good buddy. It failed the field trials in MMRCA, remember?

 

[PKPRS]

MK2 is a flawed design and will crash after 1st test flight only! This is THE BEST option available now for IAF i.e., if they do not take 100% make in India clause. BUT, take direct deliveries from Sweden 72 nos. Gripen-E jets for now. Cancel MRFA tender next; and go with HAL-Saab-L&T MRO facility for ToT's and integrations of all DRDO made missiles and bombs. This will be the L-1 LOWEST costs option than compared to Typhoon-F15EX-Rafale F4.2-F18SH jets. Later on, when AMCA is delayed further then purchase F5 Rafales in good numbers G2G direct deliveries deal...... F21 will be much more cheaper but IAF HATES this jet....

MOD shouldn’t show any lenience or mercy towards greedy and selfish companies like Dassault, they should only offer this assignment to OEM’s who offer access to source code and agree to Indian arms and components integration, we don’t run a charity to give away $40-$50Bln for nothing, also we can’t wait for 10 years to get the first Rafale, may be if there is a need for Rafale in the fuzure we can get 1-2 squadrons.

 

[Akshat]

How exactly this thing is different from Tejas ? GE is a big no no. We should have learnt our lesson by now. Just focus on scaling up production of Tejas with local private players. F the foreign jets and foreign engines. We have already a working jet & another upgraded version in couple years. Why waste money on this $hit. By the time we get it in our hands, we will have our Mk2 ready. Increase the effort on Kaveri testing & master it. Poach good talent from engine makers & iron out the remaining problems.

We don’t have a working Kaveri to test in the first place. And the upgraded version hasn’t even been rolled out yet. Won’t be inducted in this decade or the next.

 

[PKPRS]

SaaB want to meet some parameters set for Production of fighter jet & delivering within 3 years from Local assembly plant second they have Latest design over F-16 , Third they have got good Radar than F-16 Atleast they are ahead But question remains on Engine ..................??? Even after so many years in Fighter jet Production cant develop own Aero-Engine , after doing Copy-paste / screw driver Job for decades if they have Mastered the Tech of Aero-Engine they have consolidated their postion in Export market of Fighter jet , China is better than Saab atleast they develop w-series by reverse Engg

that’s why we are using GE F-414 engine that we make locally in them also Gripen has an option of fitting EJ200 engine that’s in EF Typhoon.