Saab has been awarded a 2.5-billion-krona ($270 million) order by the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration to finance ongoing development of the Gripen fighter system through 2028.
The contract covers the operation and sustainment of test aircraft, as well as investment in advanced development assets such as simulators and test rigs. These capabilities allow Saab to validate current performance while testing system upgrades, helping ensure the Gripen can respond effectively to emerging air combat threats.
Saab has highlighted the importance of a comprehensive test and simulation environment in maintaining the Gripen’s edge in increasingly complex operational scenarios. Development activities under the contract include the integration of next-generation avionics, sensors, and weapons, along with performance improvements identified through extensive flight testing.
Designed as a multi-role fighter, the Gripen is capable of conducting both air-to-air and air-to-surface missions. Its design emphasizes agility, advanced avionics, and network-enabled sensor fusion, supporting real-time information sharing and enhanced situational awareness.
The Gripen has attracted a growing international user base. Brazil operates the Gripen E as a core element of its air force modernization efforts.
Other operators include the Czech Republic, Hungary, and Colombia, which have pursued upgrades to radar systems, avionics, and weapon integration to keep their fleets aligned with global interoperability requirements.
South Africa also operates the Gripen C/D, with its aircraft undergoing Saab-supported modernization programs that include software updates, radar enhancements, and the integration of precision-guided weapons.
