Saab has secured a 2.5-billion Swedish krona ($270 million) contract from the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration to support continued development of the Gripen fighter system through 2028.
The agreement funds the operation and support of test aircraft, along with advanced development infrastructure such as test rigs and simulators. These tools enable Saab to verify and validate existing capabilities while evaluating upgrades, ensuring the Gripen remains adaptable to evolving threat environments.
According to Saab, a strong test and simulation framework is essential to sustaining the aircraft’s competitiveness in modern air combat. The development work supported by the contract includes the integration of new avionics, weapons, and sensor systems, as well as operational enhancements identified during flight-testing campaigns.
The Gripen is a multi-role combat aircraft designed for both air-to-air and air-to-ground missions. It combines high agility with advanced avionics and networked sensor systems, enabling real-time data sharing and enhanced situational awareness for operators.
Beyond Sweden, the Gripen has been adopted by several international customers. Brazil operates the Gripen E as the centerpiece of its fighter modernization program.
Additional operators include the Czech Republic, Hungary, and Colombia, all of which have invested in radar, avionics, and weapons upgrades to maintain interoperability with international standards.
South Africa also fields the Gripen C/D variant, benefiting from Saab-led modernization initiatives that include software enhancements, radar upgrades, and the integration of precision-guided munitions.
