Saab To Partner With KSSL To Bag Indian Army’s $2 Billion Surface-To-Air Missile Contract

Saab group in collaboration with Kalyani Strategic Systems (KSSL) are set for a $2 billion contract for Indian Army's Surface to air missile (SRSAM) project.

The joint venture between Saab and KSSL was announced in February but it is not yet confirmed. However, both the companies are already engaged in transfer of technology for the SRSAM program with its Bamse system, an air defence missile system, BusinessLine reported Thursday.

Under this program, 52 Ashok Leyland 8/8 Super Stallion trucks will be equipped with Saab’s Eagle radar that will be used to track enemy radars. Similarly, two more such trucks will be mounted with Saab’s Giraffe radar, which has the capability to target and shoot.

The trials were conducted in October 2014. There are plans to set up the manufacturing facility in Satara district of Maharashtra in India, although the final decision on the location is yet to be finalised by KSSL, a 100 per cent subsidiary of Bharat Forge Ltd.

Saab is expecting the bid to be open by this month, after this, there will be an L1 declaration, again in about 18 to 24 months, the company is hoping to win L1.

The production line will be decided by KSSL. But it may come up in Satara. Right now technology transfer is going on,” Bo Almqvist, who heads Saab’s air defence systems, said. The company would be able to make the first delivery in 36 months after signing contract.

“We have a long-term commitment based on Make in India for maintenance and research and development of future generations,” Almqvist said.

Saab will be competing with Israeli Rafael’s Spyder air defence system and Rosoboronexport to supply SRSAM to the Indian Army.

Possibly, the government will float the tender by December-January and would award contracts by the middle of 2017.