Hungary has received two JAS 39 Gripen C supersonic fighter jets from Saab under a 2024 procurement agreement. The delivery marks the first batch of four aircraft ordered for deployment at Kecskemét Air Base, where they will support rapid-response air policing missions against regional airspace incursions.
The additional fighters will strengthen the Hungarian Air Force’s existing 14-aircraft Gripen fleet, which also participates in NATO’s Baltic Air Policing operations. Hungary has previously led the multinational mission on four occasions.
Operated by the 101st Aviation Wing, the Gripens replaced the aging Mikoyan MiG-29 fleet in 2008. The JAS 39 Gripen measures about 16 meters in length with a 9-meter wingspan and can be configured for one or two crew members.
The aircraft carries up to 4,535 liters of fuel and a weapons payload of 7,200 kilograms, while its integrated electronic warfare suite enables operations in contested environments. Powered by a General Electric F414 engine, the jet can reach speeds of Mach 2, fly at altitudes of 16,000 meters, and operate over a range of 2,200 nautical miles.
Its weapons package includes a 27mm revolver cannon, IRIS-T missiles, AIM-120 AMRAAM missiles, AGM-65 Maverick missiles, Meteor missiles, Robotsystem anti-ship missiles, and laser-guided bombs.
