Article Posted on : - Feb 11, 2011

BANGALORE (BNS): Swedish manufacturer Saab, pursuing the Indian Air Force's medium multi-role combat aircraft (MMRCA) deal said the technologically advanced Gripen IN offers the best choice for India which comes at a ‘responsible price.’

“The fighter aircraft offers the best military corporation package. It is an opportunity for India to develop its aeronautical industry,” said Eddy de la Motte, director Gripen India, interacting with media persons Thursday.

The product fulfills the RFP and comes at a responsible price, he added.

A Saab official said, Gripen IN is the world’s most technologically advanced multi-role fighter aircraft with futuristic warfare technologies developed especially for India.

The fighter has substantially lower real Life Cycle Cost than its nearest competitor and the only option that will fundamentally shift India’s defence technology prowess to one that is able to realize its ambition of being an independent global player, he said.

Pointing out its special features he said, Gripen IN for India is equipped with a powerful engine, AESA radar, advanced communication systems, Tactical data link, supercruise, advanced electronic warfare, strategic reach, advanced weapons capacity, customer-specific weapons.

The fighter aircraft meets all the operational requirement raised by the Indian Air Force (IAF) in all roles and provides exceptional autonomous multi role capability in normal and hostile FOB operations, he said.

It also features a combination of low radar, IR and visual signatures, along with state of the art radar, an Infra Red Search and Track (IRST) sensor and superior sensor fusion.

Saab said it is willing and able to provide Transfer of Technology that exceeds the requirements, to the Indian Government. The level of ToT will enable India to manage all aspects of the cycle including design, it said.

Other contenders for the IAF's MMRCA deal are Lockheed Martin's F-16 Super Viper, Eurofighter's Typhoon, Russian United Aircraft Corporation's Mikoyan MiG-35, France's Dassault Aviation's Rafale and Boeing's F/A-18 Super Hornet.

Gripen IN is in service with Swedish, Czech Republic, Hungarian and South African Air Forces and entered service with Thailand in February.