Swedish aircraft manufacturer SAAB plans to offer the maritime variant of its Gripen single engine fighter jet in response to the Navy’s tender for 57 carrier-based aircraft.
Last month, the government had issued a Request for Information (RFI) “to procure approximately 57 Multi-Role Carrier Borne Fighters (MRCBF) for the aircraft carriers of the Indian Navy.”
“Gripen is in the process of responding to the RFI for maritime aircraft,” Tony Ogilvy, Head of Marketing of Gripen Maritime, said on Friday.
The maritime variant of Gripen is based on the latest Gripen-E variant, however there is no flying prototype yet. “We have a certified design for the Gripen-M. We have to now go into prototype building now,” he stated.
Specific requirements
The aircraft is capable of both Catapult Assisted Take-Off But Arrested Recovery (CATOBAR) and Short Take-Off But Arrested Recovery (STOBAR) operations, Mr. Ogilvy said. This is a requirement specified by the Navy. In addition, the Gripen-M has a small footprint similar to that of a Sea Harrier, which he said means “a full squadron can easily embark on a medium sized aircraft carrier.”
The RFI did not specify if the Navy wants a single or twin engine aircraft leaving the contest open. The other aircraft in the race are Boeing’s F-18 Super Hornet and Dassault Rafale, 36 of which the Indian Air Force has contracted.
