Eyeing MRCA jet deal, Swedish defence major Saab offers full tech transfer to India

In contention for the Indian Air Force (IAF)’s proposed procurement of 114 Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA), the Swedish defence major SAAB is aiming to build around its Gripen jets a production and upgrade ecosystem in India. In an interview with Bizz Buzz, Kent-Ake Molin, Sales Director & Head of Gripen for India Programme, Business Area Aeronautics, SAAB, makes a strong case to become leading contender for the Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MRCA).

How has the air show been for SAAB?

Saab has exhibited a range of products and solutions for a fast-changing defence and security environment. Saab showcases power of game changing Gripen E at the show. In addition, a full scale replica of Gripen E and a Gripen E cockpit simulator will bring alive the game-changing capabilities of the aircraft. There has been a lot of excitement around these innovations and the visitors at the show have been fully engaged.

How is the Gripen E-Series different from the earlier aircraft?

Gripen E-series is a new fighter aircraft system. Developed to counter and defeat advanced future threats, the E-series is for customers with more pronounced threats or wider territories to secure. Advanced electro Gripen E, combines exceptional operational performance, a highly advanced networked warfare capability at a whole new level, superior sensor fusion, unique BVR features and an adaptability for new threats that is a decade ahead of other fighters, making it a true game-changer. The Saab offer for the Indian Air Force also combines cost efficiency with true transfer of technology and a comprehensive industrial partnership, electronic warfare with spherical coverage and the latest AESA technology for high survivability. In addition, Saab will engage with Indian industry to further its plans for building a strong defence industrial base in India, making products for India and the rest of the world. Saab will demonstrate how its advanced technology and innovative thinking can deliver the best solutions for a strong national defence and an industrial future based on the premise of Make in India.

Our team from India, Sweden and other countries will be there to share our wide range of products, solutions, plans, and our thoughts about how best we can collaborate with the Indian defence industry to build an Atmanirbhar Bharat. To that end, Saab is setting up a manufacturing facility for Carl-Gustaf in India, further strengthening production in the country. The facility will support the production of the Carl-Gustaf M4 for the Indian Armed Forces as well as components for users of the system around the world. Saab will also be partnering with Indian sub-suppliers and the systems manufactured in the facility will fully meet the requirements of Make in India.

What are some of the exceptional features of Gripen E?

The world’s most modern fighter, Gripen E, combines exceptional operational performance, a highly advanced networked warfare capability at a whole new level, superior sensor fusion, unique BVR features and an adaptability for new threats that is a decade ahead of other fighters, making it a true game-changer. The Saab offer for the Indian Air Force also combines cost efficiency with true transfer of technology and a comprehensive industrial partnership. Also on display is a full-scale replica model of Gripen E, besides the Gripen E Mission Simulator.

IDAS is a fully integrated end-to-end solution to protect your airborne platforms. IDAS includes radar warning (RWC), missile approach warning (MAWS) and laser warning sensors (LWS). Its advanced sensor coupled with analysis tool is able to create advance threat libraries. Key benefits include instantaneous response to multiple threats and advantage situational awareness. In India, IDAS is integrated on the ALH Dhruv helicopter.

Intuitive HMC with AI, enables Gripen E incorporates cutting-edge technologies, the latest systems, sensors, weapons and pods to ensure combat advantage, delivering air superiority in highly contested environments. Silent networking and total sensor fusion across a tactical air unit to blind and confuse the enemy. One aircraft active, the others go passive. Together the team gets the first missile launch opportunity and the first kill. Gripen E re-defines the rules of the game enabling the pilot to make quick and correct decisions.

Gripen E has the powferful GE FE14G engine, great range and the ability to carry out impressive payload with its ten hard points. It also has a new AESA radar, infra red search and track system (IRST), highly advanced and communication systems. We envisioned Gripen E to be an extension of the pilot’s mind and body, and we achieve it through advanced Human Machine Collaboration (HMC). The concept speaks for itself: Human and machine work seamlessly together to achieve mission success.

Gripen’s embedded AI capability and its future-oriented cockpit design that features the Wide Area Display (WAD), facilitate the pilot’s decision-making process and provides crucial assistance in the midst of a complex mission. The WAD presents the information in a user-friendly way, which supports the pilot’s ability to select, launch and guide weapons in perfect coordination with other members of a tactical air unit.

Modern air combat is a battle of information; success or failure is dictated by your ability to generate, interpret and exploit essential data – and to do it better and faster than your opponents. All combat aircraft generate this data as they fly and fight. As the most modern aircraft on the market, with the most advanced system design, Gripen generates mission data at an unparalleled level. Every Gripen has a wide array of active and passive sensors all over its airframe.

The new avionics system in Gripen E is allowing us to update its data or software in hours. For instance, the new radar signature of an opponent recorded by one fighter would be updated by the next day in all Gripen fighters, enabling them to recognize the fighter. This is why we do not talk about fighter generations anymore.

What makes Gripen E the most modern fighter?

The world’s most modern fighter, Gripen E, combines exceptional operational performance, a highly advanced networked warfare capability at a whole new level, superior sensor fusion, unique BVR features and an adaptability for new threats that is a decade ahead of other fighters, making it a true game-changer. The Saab offer for the Indian Air Force also combines cost efficiency with true transfer of technology and a comprehensive industrial partnership. Also on display is a full-scale replica model of Gripen E, besides the Gripen E Mission Simulator.