NEW DELHI: Swedish defence major Saab has offered to manufacture its fifth generation Gripen fighter aircraft in India coupled with technology transfer in a renewed bid for a pie in the multi-billion dollar IAF modernisation plan.

Saab, which had lost out in the medium multi-role combat aircraft tender in 2011 to French firm Dassault Aviation, anticipates the IAF will need more than the 36 Rafale fighters India is buying from France to beef up its depleting fleet.

Saab is not only offering to set up a base in India but also help in the development of aerospace capability for 100 years and partner in developing the next version of indigenous LCA Tejas.

Ulf Nilsson, head of Saab’s aeronautics division, said the offer of technology transfer would be real as they are offering India ‘full system control’ and ‘full software control’.

Saab (India) chief Jan Widerstrom said the company is also ready to stick by India’s negative list, as was made clear by defence minister Manohar Parrikar last month, when it comes to exporting fighters from India to other countries.