New Delhi: Asserting that Saab is fully committed to complement India’s ‘Aatmanirbhar’ (self-reliance) approach in defence manufacturing, Mats Palmberg, Chairman and Managing Director of Saab India Technologies said that the company is setting up a manufacturing facility for Carl-Gustaf in India.
“At Aero India 2023, Saab will showcase our latest technologies which are changing defence and security planning, deployment and future force readiness. Saab will present a wide portfolio of products and systems from the air, land and sea domains including the AT4 shoulder-fired anti-tank weapon, Carl-Gustaf weapon systems and Integrated Defence Aids Suite (IDAS),” Palmberg added.
“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 we best can collaborate with the Indian defence industry to build an Atmanirbhar Bharat,” said Saab India CMD.
Saab is pitching its Gripen combat aircraft as the best option for the Indian Air Force and has offered to provide both single and two-seater variants of the plane. In 2020, Saab started manufacturing its two-seater fighter aircraft Gripen F, primarily for the Brazilian Air Force.
The Gripen E, a single seater 4.5-generation aircraft produced by Saab, is a key contender for the IAF’s fighter programme along with Lockheed Martin’s F-21, Boeing’s F/A-18, Dassault Aviation’s Rafale, the Eurofighter Typhoon and Russian aircraft MiG 35.
Adding further, Palmberg said the Gripen E combines exceptional operational performance, a highly advanced networked warfare capability, superior sensor fusion, unique BVR (beyond visual range) features, and an adaptability for new threats, adding that it is a decade ahead of other fighters.
“It is a true game changer. It is the best option. The Saab offer for the Indian Air Force also combines cost efficiency with true transfer of technology and a comprehensive industrial partnership,” he said.
Saab will demonstrate in Aero India 2023 its cutting edge technologies that make Gripen E the “world’s most modern multi-role fighter aircraft.” 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.
