No ulterior motive, says Saab

Updated on: 10 February,2009 11:09 AM IST |
Chetan R |

'Deal with TCS all about boosting the Indian economy, nothing to do with wooing IAF'

'Deal with TCS all about boosting the Indian economy, nothing to do with wooing IAF'

The multi-million dollar deal between Swedish aerospace major Saab and Tata Consultancy Services is sweet music to the recession-hit Indian IT sector.

But some industry insiders see the deal as Saab's attempt to woo the Indian Air Force which is looking at a $ 10-billion fleet modernisation plan.

Saab officials, however, insist that the deal has nothing to do with IAF's MMRCA (Medium Multi Role Combat Aircraft) purchase proposal.u00a0u00a0

"The contract will help the Indian economy," said Jan Widerstrom, vice-president, Saab. "We will use Indian resources for our ventures in the days ahead."

"Our projects with Indian companies have nothing to do with the deal, though we are contenders. Our projects will continue irrespective of the deal," said Kjell Moller, former vice-president, Saab.

Saab has recruited hundred engineers for the purpose in addition to the 4,000 already on the rolls. They will be trained in Sweden from February 18.

"Job opportunities will certainly grow in the days ahead," said R Ayyaswamy, senior official, TCS.