Saab, Kalyani group tie up for air defence systems

Defence and security company Saab and the Kalyani Group, a Indian MNC working in high-technology areas, have entered into an alliance to address short range missile and air defence requirements of the army, it was announced Monday.

A Saab release said that the agreement was signed by the company's CEO and president Hakan Buskhe and Kalyani Group chairman Baba Kalyani during the Defexpo exhibition last week.

"The teaming combines Saab's many decades as a leading developer and supplier of proven high-technology radar and missile systems, with the rich engineering and manufacturing capabilities of Kalyani," the release said.

The agreement will initially focus on the VSHORAD (very-short-range air defense) and SRSAM (short range surface to air missile) programmes for India.

"Saab is offering a system based on the RBS 70 NG missile system for VSHORAD, delivering a highly accurate, man-portable system with 24/7 all-target capability that is immune to countermeasures.

"For the SRSAM requirement, Saab is offering a unique combination of its Giraffe AMB 3-D radar and the BAMSE advanced ground based air defence missile system," the release said.