India has left everyone guessing in regards to who it will choose to manufacture a new fleet of combat aircraft for its air force. Though it is evident that the government is in talks with Sweden’s SAAB, France’s Dassault Aviation, and Boeing and Lockheed Martin of the US, it has not given any indications as to which of the contenders would be bagging the contract.
According to Defense Ministry sources, Parrikar is likely to visit Sweden this month. Earlier in June this year, Indian Air Force Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha inspected the SAAB production facility in Linkoping.
Recently, India rejected SAAB’s offer to set up a production line under 'Make in India' and to supply the latest Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar to Hindustan Aeronautics Limited for the indigenous fighter aircraft Tejas MK1A.
In an interview to All India Radio in May this year, Manohar Parrikar said, “India will select a good fighter by the end of this financial year to be made domestically. It is not yet decided which aircraft it would be. It may be F-18, Rafale, Eurofighter or Gripen. The decision in this regard will be taken in this financial year.”
