Saab offers world-class sensor package for Tejas

The package consists of a state-of-the-art Saab Airborne Electronically Scanned Array fighter radar closely integrated with a compact electronic warfare suite using Gallium Nitride based AESA technology, the company said. 

Saab, in partnership with Indian industry, offers a solution that will bring the required AESA Fighter radar and Electronic warfare capability to India and the Indian Air Force, it said. The AESA fighter radar is developed by Saab with antenna technology based on the latest technologies using Gallium Nitride (GaN) and Silicone Carbide (SiC) substrates in combination with the latest generation of exciter/receiver and processor technology, giving optimum installed performance in a dense signal environment, it said. 

The radar has a complete mode suite which includes air-to-air, air-to-ground and air to-sea capabilities, a Saab release said. A built-in memory provides a tool to record a large amount of data from performed flights. Integration in the LCA Mk1A fighter aircraft is enabled by the limited space, power and cooling required, it said. 

The EW suite consists of sensors and transmitters developed by Saab and is a highly capable and extremely compact solution that provides essential situational awareness and self-protection, the release said. The heart of the suite is an electronic warfare receiver which is connected to a front end receiver and fin tip antennas inside the aircraft, it added.

After bagging the Euro 8.78 billion deal for 36 Rafale fighters to strengthen the IAF fleet, French aircraft manufacturer Dassault Aviation is now eyeing the Naval contract of 57 aircraft that is up for grabs.

The Navy issued a ‘Request For Information’ last month seeking response from various manufacturers to equip its aircraft carriers with fighter jets, shelving the original plan to go in for the Naval version of the indigenous Tejas. Eric Trappier, CEO of Dassault Aviation, said the French aviation company will pitch for the Naval contract. 

“We are the only company to have strictly the same aircraft for our Air Force and for our Navy. Our Rafale for the Navy and the air force are same,” he told PTI. 

Early last year, a team from France had given a detailed presentation to senior Navy officers on various aspects of the Naval version and the benefits it would offer with two arms of defence forces using Rafale fighter jets. “In case we have the new contract for the Navy, we will benefit from the local implementation of the Rafale production for the Air Force,” Trappier said. 

The Air Force is also looking to procure fighter jets to replenish its aging fleet. Dassault has already begun manufacturing the initial lot of the 36 Rafale jets for the Indian Air Force. Like other defence companies vying for the multi-billion-dollar contract, Dassault too has offered to set up a manufacturing line in India. “We started to think seriously about producing Rafale in India a long time ago. We will start production of parts of Rafale, which is a part of the exisiting contract.