Gripen for India: Tailor- made to meet India's fighter needs

Gripen International, the Swedish company responsible for marketing and selling the Gripen new generation multi-role combat fighter worldwide, is proud to be once again supporting the Aero India 2007 International Aerospace and Defence Exhibition, being staged at the Yelahanka Air Base in Bangalore, India between 7-11 February 2007.

05/02/2007 | This year, the historic 75th anniversary of the Indian Air Force, sees the Gripen team's biggest ever commitment to India. With the opening of Saab/Gripen offices in New Delhi and Bangalore, three (3) Gripen new generation multi-role combat aircraft taking part in the flying and static displays at the Aero India exhibition, and the full support and attendance of Swedish government officials and Saab/Gripen International's senior management, Saab/Gripen International has made record investment in the Aero India 2007 exhibition.

Amongst the senior representatives attending the exhibition are Tony Ogilvy, Gripen International's Director for India, Ingemar Andersson, Saab AB's Vice President and Deputy CEO and Bengt Johansson, Deputy Trade Commissioner from the Swedish Trade Council, all of whom will be available ahead of, and during the Aero India exhibition.

Saab/Gripen International is also looking forward to the much anticipated release of the Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) tender by the Indian authorities. The Gripen team is confident that the Gripen new generation fighter is the complete solution to Indian Air Force's (IAF) needs, as Gripen will meet, or exceed, every operational requirement raised by the IAF in all roles; air-to-air fighter BVR (beyond visual range)/WVR (within visual range), air-to-surface (land and sea) and reconnaissance.

The selection of Gripen would also provide considerable benefits to Indian industry and the Indian economy as a whole. Saab/Gripen International has a successful and enviable track record in fulfilling or exceeding its industrial co-operation commitments worldwide. It has achieved this through a commitment to establishing sustainable business partnerships with local industry, providing the optimum level of technology transfer and industrial support, together with building long-term relationships to enable industry to manage all aspects of the life cycle of the aircraft system.

Gripen is the first of the new generation, true multi-role combat aircraft to enter service. Using the latest available technology it is capable of performing an extensive range of air-to-air and air-to-surface operational missions and employing the latest weapons. Gripen is designed to meet the demands of current and future threats, while at the same time meeting strict requirements for flight safety, reliability, training efficiency and low operating costs. Gripen is in service with the Swedish, Hungarian and Czech Republic Air Forces and has also been ordered by the South African Air Force. The UK Empire Test Pilots' School (ETPS) is operating Gripen as its advanced fast jet platform for test pilots worldwide.

Gripen International is a subsidiary of Saab AB and acts as a prime contracting organization, responsible for marketing, selling and supporting the Gripen fighter worldwide. Gripen International combines the strength of its international industrial partners, which are among the world's most experienced and respected manufacturers of aerospace and defence equipment.

Saab is one of the world's leading high-technology companies, with its main operations focusing on defence, aviation and space. The group covers a broad spectrum of competence and capabilities in systems integration.