Saab Remains Committed to Indian MRFA Project, Awaits Next Steps

India's ambitious Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) project, aimed at procuring 114 new fighter jets, is a significant endeavor for global aerospace giants.

Swedish defence company Saab, with its Gripen-E offering, expresses a blend of cautious optimism and commitment as it awaits India's next move in this drawn-out procurement process.

Mats Palmberg, Chairman and Managing Director of Saab India, acknowledges the protracted nature of defence acquisitions but remains resolute. Saab has been in the running since submitting its response to the initial Request for Information (RFI) in 2018.

Localization and Partnership: Cornerstones of Saab's Strategy​

Saab's approach hinges heavily on fulfilling India's push for indigenous defence manufacturing. The company proposes establishing an assembly line in India to produce the Gripen-E locally.

This aligns with India's "Make in India" initiative, which prioritizes domestic production and technology transfer. Furthermore, Saab aims to foster a robust supply chain through collaborations with Indian partners, contributing to the growth of India's aerospace industry.

The Gripen-E: Saab's Contender​

Palmberg highlights the Gripen-E's advanced technological features, combat capabilities, and reliability. This multi-role fighter is designed to tackle the evolving security challenges India faces.

Saab believes the Gripen-E addresses India's requirements, but the competition is undoubtedly fierce, with offerings from Dassault Aviation (Rafale), Lockheed Martin (F-21), Boeing (F/A-18), Eurofighter (Typhoon), and Russia.

Collaboration is Key​

Crucial to Saab's efforts is the focus on partnerships and collaborative ventures. The company seeks to transfer technology, work with Indian stakeholders, and empower local talent, ultimately bolstering India's defence manufacturing sector.

International partnerships and synergies with India's industrial base are seen as integral to realizing the full potential of the MRFA project.

The Long and Winding Road​

India's defence procurement processes are notoriously complex and lengthy. This MRFA project is no exception.

Despite the delays, Saab's patience underscores the strategic importance of the Indian market.

The company is determined to navigate the intricacies of the process and hopes the Gripen-E's strengths and a collaborative approach will secure its place in the Indian Air Force's future.

 

[Agar]

Not quite. Gripen doesn't stand much of a chance, and neither does the F-16V for the simple reason that MRFA called for twin-engine fighters from the get go. MRFS is essentially a three-way race between the Rafale, Typhoon, and the F-15EX, with the Rafale having a decided starting advantage.

F16V with follow-0n F35B or F35C might be accepted.

 

[Anant]

F16V with follow-0n F35B or F35C might be accepted.

You do realise the Americans haven't offered the F-35, right? And even if they dud, why on Earth would the IAF go for the VSTOL F-35B or the navalised F-35C?

 

[Apocalypse gupta]

Exactly the point. So single engine isn’t the problem. Quality of the plane is.

You cant bring in F35 to the discussion. It has completely different design methodology. F35 has very poor performance. It has low to speed and its manuvearability is nothing special. If you remove stealth and avionics and sensors from equation, indian air force would never go for an aircraft with such terrible performance. IAF is addicted to performance. Same is true for the russians. All russian fighters are top tier when it comes to performance. All other stealth aircraft like J-20,F22 and su57 have top tier performance as well. F35 is unique in its approach.

 

[Agar]

My error. I was under the impression that twin-engined aircraft were a negotiable condition in the old RfI and RfP for MMRCA. Still, the Gripen has a very low chance even this time around because of how similar it would be to the Tejas Mk 2.

it could be a combination of single and twin engines, we never know.

 

[Agar]

If you listen to what the airforce has said, it will be clear that air force does not want to import single engine fighters. Same for the navy. We can build them on our own, using own design. Gripen has no chance

IAF has a requirement for both single and Twin engine aircrafts, Tejas MK1A is not a real fighter jet, no body knows how long it will take for MK2, so there is always a chance for F21 and Gripen.

 

[Apocalypse gupta]

IAF has a requirement for both single and Twin engine aircrafts, Tejas MK1A is not a real fighter jet, no body knows how long it will take for MK2, so there is always a chance for F21 and Gripen.

No point talking about hypotheticals. There is no chance of India getting F-35. India is not a US ally like NATO or countries with mutual defence clause with US.

India also has S400, turkey bought S400 and it was booted out of f35 program.

 

[Pink Panther]

So if US offers F35 we won’t buy it? (Assuming price,ToT and other technicalities are sorted out)

IAF won’t buy a 4th gen jet when they are offered 5th gen jet.

 

[Pink Panther]

You do realise the Americans haven't offered the F-35, right? And even if they dud, why on Earth would the IAF go for the VSTOL F-35B or the navalised F-35C?

There is a point, to overcome/bypass S-400, we might be offered only Naval F35’s there were discussions a while back about this, but I highly doubt

 

[Pink Panther]

The Tejas Mk 2 isn't flying until 2026-27. That is HAL's own estimates. I would actually posit adding another year or two to that to factor in their inefficiencies.

may be prototype.

 

[Pink Panther]

India should go for either F-15EX or Rafale. Bost are excellent fighters, but there are other factors as well.

buying Rafale will offer 0 TOT, especially if Dassault themself manufacture them in India without Indian players.

 

[Apocalypse gupta]

buying Rafale will offer 0 TOT, especially if Dassault themself manufacture them in India without Indian players.

Yeah, i dont trust the french for local production. They have not met their offset commitments for the previous rafale orders.

 

[Apocalypse gupta]

IAF has a requirement for both single and Twin engine aircrafts, Tejas MK1A is not a real fighter jet, no body knows how long it will take for MK2, so there is always a chance for F21 and Gripen.

No, we are building Tejas Mk2 in large numbers for that. And Tejas mk 1 is a real fighter. Only issue is that it has lesser range and payload capacity. But it is ok, since they are mainly to be used as air defence interceptors. Their main role is not to conduct deep strikes we have jaguars and sukhois for that.

 

[Axiss]

India should go for either F-15EX or Rafale. Bost are excellent fighters, but there are other factors as well.

F-15 is a boeing aircraft. Boeing has excellent relations with India. It is already manufacturing some stuff in india for its global supply chain. So I believe it will be easier for them to build F-15 in India. Also, it will be helpful in geopolitics by deeping relation between India and US.

Sorry to disagree, but the F-15 is a bad idea. There is no ToT on American planes, and the US is actually quite infamous for not keeping up their commitments.

The F-16 one may look weird, but makes perfect sense when you realised that just before Biden announced the package, Pakistan was bombing Iran. With F-16s apparently being used.

We have good relationships with the commercial side of Boeing. Not the MIC subdivision. Buying from Dassault is a better option as replacement parts are pretty much always available, we have experience in using them now, and we have weapons to go with them(MICA and Meteor,iirc).

SAAB is a dead choice. Or more specifically, Gripen-E is a dead choice, since South Africa reverse engineered the plane and sold the plans to China. Not good for us.

I am concerned about Datalink capabilities and ToT with Dassault, but the US option puts us in way more jeopardy.

 

[Axiss]

F16V with follow-0n F35B or F35C might be accepted.

Lockheed has been clear. They're only offering the F-21(F16V) program. They have no plans to sell any F-35s to us.

 

[Pink Panther]

AMCA numbers will replace Su30MKI from 2040s

Super Sukhoi’s won’t be replaced at-least until 2060.

 

[Pink Panther]

No, we are building Tejas Mk2 in large numbers for that. And Tejas mk 1 is a real fighter. Only issue is that it has lesser range and payload capacity. But it is ok, since they are mainly to be used as air defence interceptors. Their main role is not to conduct deep strikes we have jaguars and sukhois for that.

Jaguars have become useless after DARIN-3 upgrade and not upgrading engines, , my concern is HAL shouldn’t wreck SU-30’s like Jaguars without upgrading their engine’s.

 

[Pink Panther]

If Tejas MK2 gets its First flight next year then SAAB must stop dreaming about selling Gripen to INDIA. MK2 is more indigenous to India than JAS-39 to Sweden.

we are taking about 2033-2035, so until then we won’t have a capable full size single engine jet, so there is a possibility for both Gripen and F21, again everything depends on the help we get for making AMCA, LM could offer F21 for extremely cheap price and best financial terms and might help with AMCA, SAAB or Eurofighter consortium or Dassault doesn’t have any experience what so ever on a 5th gen jet.

 

[Apocalypse gupta]

Jaguars have become useless after DARIN-3 upgrade and not upgrading engines, , my concern is HAL shouldn’t wreck SU-30’s like Jaguars without upgrading their engine’s.

well, you are using strong language. Jaguars are meant to be retired in early 2030s, for meantime they are ok. they need to just fly and drop bombs or carry air launched missiles. They dont need to do other fancy stuff, we have sukhois, mig, tejas for that. Also, super sukhoi involves newer engines. IAF will never neglect sukhois, they will ensure that they remain state of the art, since they form the backbone of IAF

 

[Apocalypse gupta]

Sorry to disagree, but the F-15 is a bad idea. There is no ToT on American planes, and the US is actually quite infamous for not keeping up their commitments.

Well, recently boing said that they will integrate indian weapons on F-15EX. Also what you are talking about on ToT, that is true, but it is changing. For eg, look at recent agreement on F414 engines. Also, america has arrangements with other countries for tech transfer, so there is precedent. France performs poorly on these aspects.

I agree with you about SAAB and Gripen. Forming close ties with US is paramount for India's broader security keeping in mind China. Macron is already bending for Xi Jinping

 

[Sunnyj]

Order Su30mki with SuperSukhoi upgrades, more Tejas Mk1A till Tejas Mk2 is ready. Next should be AMCA when it’s ready. Don’t won’t bigger kitchdi than it already is🤦🏽

 

[Sunnyj]

we are taking about 2033-2035, so until then we won’t have a capable full size single engine jet, so there is a possibility for both Gripen and F21, again everything depends on the help we get for making AMCA, LM could offer F21 for extremely cheap price and best financial terms and might help with AMCA, SAAB or Eurofighter consortium or Dassault doesn’t have any experience what so ever on a 5th gen jet.

Ameriki fighter stuff not wanted by IAF, reason:sanctions, PAF already experts in F16 etc. Might make an exception for F35 being 5th gen, but it’s not offered by LM. All the rest very costly and high operational costs, Gripen similar to Tejas so…

 

[Pink Panther]

well, you are using strong language. Jaguars are meant to be retired in early 2030s, for meantime they are ok. they need to just fly and drop bombs or carry air launched missiles. They dont need to do other fancy stuff, we have sukhois, mig, tejas for that. Also, super sukhoi involves newer engines. IAF will never neglect sukhois, they will ensure that they remain state of the art, since they form the backbone of IAF

problem is Jaguars have become like saheed drones flying very slow and can get easlily shot, suprr sukhois defenitrly need engine upgrades.