Taygibay
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The two areas that India would most like ToT in is propulsion (engine) and radar- these are two areas where SAAB is in no postion to offer ToT as it doesn't own the IPRs. SAAB is trying to dupe the leadership and public by this "Make in India" headline but when you actually dive down into the details you can see SAAB is little more than a lead intergrator and the only thing India would get from purchasing the Gripen is killing off the LCA.
No, you're going a bit far! The engine is American but SAAB modifies it a whole lot. They have important knowledge
in that domain if a lot less than Safran or Rolls-Royce. As for the radar, they've sourced a European product made
to fit at AESA level. There must be a reason other than size why they chose a different option than CEASAR? You're
likely right on this IPR set being Selex more than theirs but we'd need proof of that.
As for the integrator part, you forgot the coat hanger to that mantle of parts : the cell? I'm sorry but Gripen is a better design then Tejas and that is SAAB. In fact, they are to be warmly applauded for maintaining full spectrum abilities
with low series and long timelines.
This said, yes wholeheartedly to your last part!
Think that the MRCA switched to a MediumMRCA precisely to protect the TEJAS by putting the minimum weight
above that of the LCA.
That this was done even though the decision excluded the M2000 and forbade buying that line that Dassault had offered.
That this decision was further stuck to through the scariest moments of the saga and corrected upwards by adding
to the top heavy MKIs when need forced you to.
And today, Gripen would be picked as a MiG-21 replacement over the dead body of IAF's fave, despite its top beast
and over its autonomous future? Yeah, right!
Despite all that I have said above, the commercial side of SAAB reeks of desperation, has for years!
Even unimpressed as I may be by it, the LCA must be inducted and made to work. It may be arduous but it has to
happen for many reasons. It may only serve the IAF without N-frilly version. It may number only 200ish in fine 7
it may be a harsh teacher to its grease monkeys and maintenance but it has to be experienced for the future.
It's like that child with some limitation, at some point, stop the dilly-daliting and live/love with it!
Maybe the question should be : why do we even post this crap beyond a mention in a news thread?
Peace around your part of the woods mate, Tay.