Today, the Indian Navy’s horizon ranges from the strategic chokepoint and shipping channels connecting West Asia, East and South Africa and Europe to East and Far East Asia. India’s growing economic stature has added urgency to the desire within for freedom to use the sea - around the Indian Ocean and much beyond. For a nation like India, it is important to maintain a safe and secure environment for shipping and controlling responses to natural calamities, ship accidents, oil spill, terrorism and military threats. Saab’s portfolio covers the air, surface, underwater and coastal security domains that provide naval forces complete command over the sea. Saab is interested in catering to a range of requirements of the Indian Navy and Coast Guard.

Saab can support the operational needs with solutions for: Surface warfare (surveillance & reconnaissance, decision support, precision engagement, force protection); anti submarine warfare; air warfare; mine warfare; maritime surveillance; and coastal and harbour security.

The products and systems for the naval and maritime domain include: Command and control systems; Missile systems; Naval multi-role surveillance systems; Fire control and other sensor systems; Ship control systems; Naval ESM and laser warning systems; Mine warfare data centre; Vessel traffic management systems; AUVs, ROVs for underwater and deep sea operations and rotary wing unmanned aerial vehicle for surveillance and SAR at sea; and Training Systems.

Saab’s Autonomous Underwater Vehicle, AUV 62, configured as a self-propelled underwater advanced trainer (AUV 62AT) is a unique product that assists the training of ASW operators. In addition, this unique and modular self-propelled underwater vehicle has the possibility of being configured for a number of operational roles through a change of the payload module. The payload module can be changed by the ship staff at sea to re-configure the use of this training system for mine reconnaissance, general reconnaissance and surveillance, seabed mapping, sub-bottom mapping and environmental monitoring.

Saab has in its portfolio a wide range of tethered remotely operated vehicles that are suitable for a wide variety of simple tasks to very heavy duty tasks for deep sea applications. The portfolio comprises of vehicles used for observation, inspection, survey, and actual work. Two unique products in the underwater vehicles inventory are the SAROV (semi-autonomous ROV) that can be used either as a ROV or as an AUV; and SUBROV (submarine ROV) which can swim out from a standard 21" torpedo tube and be used to recover our AUV 62 that is launched submerged from the standard 21" torpedo tube. Other systems in the underwater domain include fixed/portable diver detector and diver interdiction systems, hull inspection systems, virtual fence, software defined sonars, degaussing and mine warfare systems.

Saab’s 9LV family offers complete C4I for all types of naval platforms, including submarines. 9LV provides the command team with outstanding operational capabilities, supporting all mission types from littorals to the open ocean. Options range from FCS solutions to complex combat management systems with large numbers of interfaces and vast responsive decision support. The whole family uses open standards, and Saab can integrate any subsystem with a 9LV solution. By enabling flexible, effective operations, it increases mission capability. The system is modular and scalable, allowing unique software connectivity and interoperability. Its design means that it is quicker and more affordable to develop, upgrade and support. Saab has more than 40 years of experience in naval weapon control systems. The 9LV solutions have been provided to leading navies around the world, with deliveries being completed to more than 230 ships.

Saab has offered their RBS 15 anti-ship missile to the Indian Navy. This can be launched from land, air and sea, making it suitable for a wide spectrum of threat scenarios. The RBS15 missile family, consisting of RBS15 Mk 3 and the RBS15F ER air launched version, has the unique flexibility of launch from various platforms. The RBS15 Mk3 is the latest development in the RBS15 family of surface-to-surface (SSM) missile system. It is a true fire-and-forget multi-purpose anti-ship/land attack, ultralow sea skimming, cruise missile.

Mobile Coastal Missile Systems

Saab has also responded to the Navy’s RFI for the mobile coastal missile systems with the 3D Saab multi-role Giraffe AMB as the primary radar sensor and integrated C2 and RBS 15.

Saab is proud of its naval radars that have been used by many navies in the world. Saab’s 3D Sea Giraffe AMB radar has been chosen by most customers worldwide for its capability to detect sea-skimming missiles out to the radar horizon, automatic track initiation in high-clutter environments like littorals, and above all more than 97 per cent availability in combat environment.

From peacekeeping operations to real combat scenarios-today’s missions demand seamless implementation of strategies-and aircraft to match. Saab has extensive experience from supporting air forces with aircraft solutions designed to enhance operational capabilities and reduce the cost of ownership. Saab is currently working to design the carrier-based version of the Gripen new generation multi-role fighter aircraft, ie the Sea-Gripen, the marine variant of the Gripen NG.

Saab is ready with their Saab 340 MSA (Maritime Security Aircraft) for Airborne Maritime Surveillance. This aircraft is a very capable multi-role aircraft that enhances maritime surveillance capabilities and complements the naval and/or land-based surveillance solutions.

The aircraft can operate from short airfields. A number of on-board sensors that include a 360 degrees Maritime radar, retractable multiple payload FLIR sensor, secure AIS, and direction finder integrated with the mission management system provides the aircraft with the capabilities required for monitoring large maritime areas day and night, in rain, fog and inclement weather. To provide continuous communication capabilities, the aircraft is equipped with secure-AIS data links and a reliable voice and data SATCOM system, thereby providing the higher command or other units with a real-time maritime common situational picture and a fast link for orders. The aircraft is available for use within short time frames.

Saab has also introduced ‘Skeldar’, the rotary wing UAV with capability to operate from ships. It’s a modular, simple to operate and low-cost system that provides excellent aerial surveillance capability in day and night conditions. It can be easily fitted with different payloads as required and provide an additional 150 km surveillance footprint to the ship or even the entire fleet.