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The on-going trials for the Medium Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MMRCA), which India plans to acquire from top global giants, have gone into a bit of rough weather. It has been learnt that out of the six contenders, the Swedish firm Saab is actually showcasing the older version of the fighter planes that it has offered India.
According to sources, the Swedish firm is showcasing the two older versions of the Gripen-D fighter planes, as opposed to the JAS-39IN Gripen NG which it proposes to offer to India. The Swedish firm, with its much touted JAS-39IN Gripen NG, was one of front-runners in the fray for the MMRCA deal due to its proven prowess in terms of modernity as well as its agility.
However, the Swedish firm now faces the risk of disqualification for bringing in a different fighter plane for trials. As per the Indian Defence Ministry’s directive for the trials of the MMRCA, Saab must bring in the Gripen NG model fighter planes as opposed to the Gripen-D fighter that is landing in India for the trials.
The officials of Saab (India) indicated that the Gripen NG prototype will not be arriving to India as it is required in Sweden for testing and evaluation by the Swedish Air Force. Saab will now have to make amends with the Indian Defence Ministry and acquire fresh dates for showcasing the Gripen NG fighter planes in India.
The Indian Air Force (IAF) has been keen on the Gripen NG fighters with its lightweight body, agility and its striking advanced features like electronic warfare capabilities. The Gripen NG has superior avionics and flight performance. The Gripen NG fighter planes can land on an 800-metre stretch of highway and refuel, rearm and take-off within 10 minutes. This enables each Gripen NG fighter plane to fly far more sorties per day than any other aircraft in world.
While the IAF pilots have still not had a flight experience of the Gripen NG, it is likely that they will be offered to fly these planes during their visit to Sweden in April this year.
However, the fate of the Swedish firm in this $11 billion race for 126 MMRCA is now hinging on a decision that will be made by the Indian Defence Ministry and the Indian Air Force.
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