Saab Woos India with Gripen-E for MRFA Tender, Promises Seamless Integration of Indian Weapons and Software Collaboration

In the race to secure India's Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) contract for 114 new fighter jets, Saab is making a strong pitch with its Gripen-E, emphasizing its commitment to "Make in India" and offering seamless integration of Indian-made weapons.

Saab India has reiterated its pledge to manufacture the Gripen-E in India if selected, and is open to incorporating a range of indigenous weapons, including the Astra beyond visual range air-to-air missile, the Rudram anti-radiation missile, and the Smart Anti-Airfield Weapon (SAAW).

A senior Saab India official highlighted the ease of integrating these weapons, stating that it primarily involves software upgrades to the fighter's core weapons system computer. Saab engineers are prepared to collaborate with the IAF's Aircraft & Systems Testing Establishment (ASTE) to ensure smooth integration from the early stages of production. This would allow the IAF to deploy its own weaponry on the Gripen-E, increasing its versatility and compatibility with India's existing defence infrastructure.

Saab's offer to collaborate with the IAF on software development for weapons integration is a significant step, demonstrating the company's willingness to tailor the Gripen-E to India's specific operational needs. By working closely with ASTE, Saab aims to guarantee seamless integration of Indian weapon systems without delays or complications, granting the IAF greater autonomy and operational flexibility.

Regarding the Raven ES-05 radar, a key component of the Gripen-E's sensor suite developed by Leonardo Aerospace, Defence and Security, the Saab official confirmed Leonardo's full cooperation with Saab's plans. This suggests that ensuring the radar's compatibility with Indian operational requirements will not be an issue. However, it remains unclear whether the IAF will demand full access to the source code, a sensitive issue often linked to technology transfer and strategic autonomy.

This development comes as India seeks to modernize its air force and bolster its domestic defence industry. Saab's proposal, with its focus on indigenous production and weapons integration, positions the Gripen-E as a strong contender in the MRFA competition.

 

[sanket]

Good competition for MRFA, Bharat at the End of the will benefit

 

[PKPRS]

Great product but less political weight, may be MRFA could be split between single and twin engine, 114 single and 54 twin engine 5th gen jets, which will solve all India’s problems for next 40 years.

 

[M S Chatterji]

Gripen is trying very hard to break into Indian market. The truth is that it has an American engine which is no….no.

 

[sanket]

Great product but less political weight, may be MRFA could be split between single and twin engine, 114 single and 54 twin engine 5th gen jets, which will solve all India’s problems for next 40 years.

Only Thing is if Gripen was Twin Engine then it was more appealing rather than Single Engine, even though most of the components are source outside, Being Single Engine may b going against.

 

[Anant]

Great product but less political weight, may be MRFA could be split between single and twin engine, 114 single and 54 twin engine 5th gen jets, which will solve all India’s problems for next 40 years.

That would certainly help a lot in terms of squadron numbers. The trade-off, of course, would be that the 54 jets would have to be bought off-the-shelf, and this would lead to a maintenance issue a few decades down the line.

 

[PKPRS]

Only Thing is if Gripen was Twin Engine then it was more appealing rather than Single Engine, even though most of the components are source outside, Being Single Engine may b going against.

but it is half the price of other western twin engine options, we can even scale the production up to 200 if there is a future need and if we have any problems with Tejas program and use as a contingency.

 

[PKPRS]

That would certainly help a lot in terms of squadron numbers. The trade-off, of course, would be that the 54 jets would have to be bought off-the-shelf, and this would lead to a maintenance issue a few decades down the line.

It would be far better than the 36 Rafales that might pose logistical problems down the line, at-least these belong to the same family as sU-30’s though a distant relative. we could buy 36 more either used or new 15-20 years later when the backlog clears if there is a need at that time.

 

[sanket]

but it is half the price of other western twin engine options, we can even scale the production up to 200 if there is a future need and if we have any problems with Tejas program and use as a contingency.

Bharat already developing Jet in similar category Tejas MK2, Combat Range & weapon load also important factor, single Engines have Limitaion in remaining Airborne for Long & performing Long sortie, Given Rafale can perform 5 sortie a day is Big advantage plus Ferry Range it can b fielded other parts of battle field quickly

 

[PKPRS]

Gripen is trying very hard to break into Indian market. The truth is that it has an American engine which is no….no.

Then how about Tejas, TEDBF and AMCA MK1.

 

[Ronin]

Bharat already developing Jet in similar category Tejas MK2, Combat Range & weapon load also important factor, single Engines have Limitaion in remaining Airborne for Long & performing Long sortie, Given Rafale can perform 5 sortie a day is Big advantage plus Ferry Range it can b fielded other parts of battle field quickly

IAF needs 114 jets for $20Bln, not 50-60, the main reason for MRFA is to replenish the falling squadron strength, buying 50-60 makes no sense, for this budget we can only buy 114 single engine jets or MIG-35, we can’t even go near other options in the list, US might offer F/A-18 for cheap, but it doesn’t have growth potential, F15 will be expensive as well.

 

[kurtwallis wallis]

Since, HAL can deliver ONLY 1 or at the most 2 MK1A jets per year- MoD-IAF MUST go in for 3 vendors OEM solution next, as follows: 226 nos. of Gripen-E jets make in India ; 56 nos. of SU57 jets by HAL ; and either 114 nos. of KF21 Boramae or else Typhoon Tranch5 jets next...

 

[vamkris]

India shall buy 54 su-57 and develop 60 gripen I with GaN aesa radar specially for india indigenously
Then only india can tackle
Pakistan +china+ bangladesh+ turkey+iran+Canada

 

[Vijigishu ( विजिग्शु )]

Only Rafael makes sense, nothing else, given that 36 rafaels are in Indian hangers, it doesn't have US engine, good relations with France (actually best in west), and navy too will be operating rafael Ns.

They won't consider any single engine jets since the Tejas program already in action.

 

[Akshat]

Great product but less political weight, may be MRFA could be split between single and twin engine, 114 single and 54 twin engine 5th gen jets, which will solve all India’s problems for next 40 years.

But India doesn’t want either. Gripen was rejected and only fifth gen plane with twin engines, your Su57, has been rejected as well.

 

[Akshat]

but it is half the price of other western twin engine options, we can even scale the production up to 200 if there is a future need and if we have any problems with Tejas program and use as a contingency.

It is even more expensive than other western twin engine jets and they can’t even give us 50% ToT.

 

[Akshat]

IAF needs 114 jets for $20Bln, not 50-60, the main reason for MRFA is to replenish the falling squadron strength, buying 50-60 makes no sense, for this budget we can only buy 114 single engine jets or MIG-35, we can’t even go near other options in the list, US might offer F/A-18 for cheap, but it doesn’t have growth potential, F15 will be expensive as well.

F18 was defeated by Rafale based on price. Gripen is even more expensive than Rafale. Mig 35 has been rejected.

 

[Sandeep]

India is not able to buy and afford 114 foreign jets as it’s too expensive even if they make it in India.

India needs to focus on manufacturing the Tejas MK1A and sort that problem out. We also need to quickly manufacture the Tejas MK2 and AMCA prototype which will be the main backbone of our air force.

 

[Akshat]

India shall buy 54 su-57 and develop 60 gripen I with GaN aesa radar specially for india indigenously
Then only india can tackle
Pakistan +china+ bangladesh+ turkey+iran+Canada

IAF hates them both. They rejected Gripen in field trials and then said openly that they won’t buy Su57 under any circumstances come what may.

 

[Pad UwU]

Gripen is trying very hard to break into Indian market. The truth is that it has an American engine which is no….no.

LMAO how can you say that when Tejas , AMCA and TEDBF will feature US design made engine... Do you prefer European and Russian engine 😹😹😹

 

[Pad UwU]

Well this is a good option.... If I would decide it's bet to divide MRFA into two maker and form JV partnership or overseas company ie Saab India and Eurofighter consortium India (with it's other partners in Indian local military supplier company)... MRFA order of 54 Gripen E/F indianize variant and EF tranche 4/5 indianize system or with ECRS mk2 radar.... We can't deny the alternate reality that we might go all the way with Russian systems from Su35s/m or su57/75 if we they can wooh us plus a some real tech transfer 65~80%... The rest would be up to us or we can go pay up the bill as high to get the real deal and doesn't wast more time and money for those failed R&D's from the past🙃😺🔥🔥🔥🔥

 

[Dredd]

Great product but less political weight, may be MRFA could be split between single and twin engine, 114 single and 54 twin engine 5th gen jets, which will solve all India’s problems for next 40 years.

If Gripen qualify the technical bids and enter financial bids it will surely wins the competition, Unless Indian Govt consider political weightage. IAF loves Gripen and have flown Gripen formation on air force day (2017).
Lokking at HAL and ADA record we are not getting LCA Mk2 before 2035.

 

[Dredd]

but it is half the price of other western twin engine options, we can even scale the production up to 200 if there is a future need and if we have any problems with Tejas program and use as a contingency.

What india is getting from political weight, Its only arm twisting by either USA or Russia. USA are so shameless that they use proxy like think tanks and NGO to publish adverse articles on india and Support terrorists like Pannun. They will not hesitate to even directly support separatist movement in india.

 

[Sridhar]

India shall buy 54 su-57 and develop 60 gripen I with GaN aesa radar specially for india indigenously
Then only india can tackle
Pakistan +china+ bangladesh+ turkey+iran+Canada

What do you mean by saying " shall buy"? Will you buy a product from a company which has struggled to build 30 odd jets after more than a decade after the first flight?
The Russian Airforce themselves are less enthusiastic about flying them.
Even going by your wish list of going for 54 SU 57 and 60 J39 , IAF does not have the kind of money to invest on 2 jets of different origin.
Do you think maintaining different jets is an easy task?

 

[Dredd]

IAF needs 114 jets for $20Bln, not 50-60, the main reason for MRFA is to replenish the falling squadron strength, buying 50-60 makes no sense, for this budget we can only buy 114 single engine jets or MIG-35, we can’t even go near other options in the list, US might offer F/A-18 for cheap, but it doesn’t have growth potential, F15 will be expensive as well.

Rafale/EF/F-15 which are arguably best 3 of MRFA jets on offer will costs way more that $20billion for 114 jets, and are almost useless in front of 5th gen jets. If we want to fill numbers without compromising on quality Gripen is a good bet. else get USA to sell F-35 if we are paying 25-30 billion for MRFA

 

[Sridhar]

India is not able to buy and afford 114 foreign jets as it’s too expensive even if they make it in India.

India needs to focus on manufacturing the Tejas MK1A and sort that problem out. We also need to quickly manufacture the Tejas MK2 and AMCA prototype which will be the main backbone of our air force.

Is HAL upto the task? I too support TEJAS MK1A, MK2 and AMCA. But when will these jets come?

 

[Sridhar]

Well this is a good option.... If I would decide it's bet to divide MRFA into two maker and form JV partnership or overseas company ie Saab India and Eurofighter consortium India (with it's other partners in Indian local military supplier company)... MRFA order of 54 Gripen E/F indianize variant and EF tranche 4/5 indianize system or with ECRS mk2 radar.... We can't deny the alternate reality that we might go all the way with Russian systems from Su35s/m or su57/75 if we they can wooh us plus a some real tech transfer 65~80%... The rest would be up to us or we can go pay up the bill as high to get the real deal and doesn't wast more time and money for those failed R&D's from the past🙃😺🔥🔥🔥🔥

EF is ruled out. Too many stakeholders. It's a great jet alright. But India would be vary about no.of stakeholders who are involved in the manufacturing.

 

[vivek manjeshwar]

Only Rafael makes sense, nothing else, given that 36 rafaels are in Indian hangers, it doesn't have US engine, good relations with France (actually best in west), and navy too will be operating rafael Ns.

They won't consider any single engine jets since the Tejas program already in action.

But as order book of Rafel is full and they are already delivering F4R to French airforce we can't get Rafel aircraft for few more years as their capacity is production low and it rafel fighter plane is expensive at present. It seems Rafel was not willing or keen to assembly of ckd kits in their Nagpur unit on 800 acre plot.which was given to them to fulfill offset clause. Setting up a new plant now and tooling, training will take some more years. Tough situation at least we need 54 more rafel and 26 Rafel M as they can be assembled in India along with orders of UAE, Indonesia. And we don't know the outcome of the discussion that happened recently between Indian NSA and French government. Picture will be clear after US election.

 

[Sandeep]

Is HAL upto the task? I too support TEJAS MK1A, MK2 and AMCA. But when will these jets come?

HAL needs to change its operations and aims. HAL should only focus on designing, developing and manufacturing the first 4-6 prototype models of a jet and once the air force are happy with it then get it certified.

After that they should issue a license to several private sector companies to start several production lines and manufacture the entire jet. This is what needs to happen and the private sector can even be part of designing and developing it.

 

[PKPRS]

Bharat already developing Jet in similar category Tejas MK2, Combat Range & weapon load also important factor, single Engines have Limitaion in remaining Airborne for Long & performing Long sortie, Given Rafale can perform 5 sortie a day is Big advantage plus Ferry Range it can b fielded other parts of battle field quickly

First of all we don’t have much radius to fight as both our enemies are close-by, , Super-30’s and 36 Rafale’s could be used against China and in extended range, we can buy 2-3 squadrons of SU-57 which would be more than enough for us to use in the Chinese front, but we need more potent jets to use in the Pakistan front as we have more chances of war with them than the Chinese, we are also planning to get 18 Mid air fueling tanker jets-as opposed to 8 that were originally planned, these could increase the combat radius of single engine jets, single engine jets could also carry drop tanks to extend the range.