GRIPEN FIGHTER JETS - DEFENCE AND SECURITY
News: Saab
open to local alliance to produce its Gripen fighter jets
What's in the news?
● Swedish
defence major Saab, which is pitching both the single and twin-seater variants
of its single-engine Gripen fighter jet for the Indian Air Force (IAF) tender
for 114 jets, is open to local partnerships after an earlier memorandum of
understanding (MoU) with the Adani Group for potential partnership lapsed in
2019.
Key takeaways:
● In
2017, Saab had signed an MoU with the Adani Group, an agreement that lapsed in
2019. It was mutually agreed upon by both the parties not to renew the MoU.
● A
decision would be taken as the process moved forward based on its categorization
for the Make in India effort under the procurement procedure.
Gripen:
● The
Gripen is a single engine fighter jet,
powered by American GE-414 engine, manufactured by Swedish company SAAB which is expected to replace the Russian
Mig-21 and Mig-27.
● Indigenously
built LCA Tejas is also powered by an American GE-414 engine.
● Saab
has offered the single-seater Gripen-E, as well as the twin-seater Gripen-F
(jointly being developed with Embraer of Brazil) for the IAF’s 114 Multi-Role
Fighter Aircraft (MRFA).
Saab offered weapon system in India:
● Saab
has already announced plans to manufacture its renowned Carl-Gustaf M4 weapon system in India.
● The
Indian Army, which has been using the Carl-Gustaf since 1976, has also ordered
the latest M4 version.
● Another
Carl-Gustaf variant, AT4CS AST, a
lightweight, man-portable, unguided and fully disposable weapon system has also
been ordered by India.
○ Saab’s
AT4 weapon has been selected by the Indian Armed Forces and will be used by the
Indian Army and the IAF.