Saab has stated that it will respond to a Request for Information (RFI) from the Indian Navy (IN) for the acquisition of approximately 57 new fighters to equip the IN’s aircraft carriers.
The RFI stipulates that deliveries should begin within three years of a contract signature and be completed within another three years. It does not specify whether the aircraft should be single or twin-engined but bidders will have to confirm if its aircraft have short take-off but arrested recovery and catapult takeoff but arrested recovery (CATOBAR) capabilities.
Saab has chosen to respond to the RFI by pitching their JAS-39 Gripen-M maritime variant of the firm’s JAS-39 Gripen fighter family. Saab is already pitching the JAS-39E for the Indian Air Force’s single-engine MiG-21/MiG-27 fighter family replacement requirement.
The JAS-39 Gripen-M could be based on the extensive development that Saab has carried out for a possible Brazilian Navy requirement. Designed to fly from catapult-equipped carriers, the JAS-39 Gripen-M would have 95 percent commonality with the JAS-39 Gripen-E while retaining the same multi-role capabilities, the company has confirmed.
