Saab announced on 24 October 2023 that it had received an additional order from the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) covering upgrades to the Swedish Air Force’s fleet of Gripen C/D fighters.
This latest order, worth SEK 579 M (EUR 49.5 M), is designed to ensure the continued operation of Sweden’s Gripen C/Ds while also enhancing their capabilities. It covers designing new development and simulation environments for the Gripen C/D as well as developing new support systems that will facilitate the harmonisation of the Gripen C/D and Gripen E fleets in Swedish service.
“The upgrade of Gripen C/D is an important step in maintaining a high level of operational capability in the turbulent world we live in,” Lars Tossman, head of Saab’s Aeronautics business area, was quoted as saying in a company press release. “It is also important in order for Gripen C/D to operate beyond 2030.”
The Swedish Air Force currently operates 71 Saab Gripen C fighters and 23 Gripen D fighter/conversion trainers of 75 and 25 delivered from 2004.
Although the Swedish government has ordered 60 next-generation Gripen Es, deliveries of which began in December 2021, the FMV announced in April 2022 that all of the SwAF’s Gripen C/Ds would be upgraded to keep them operationally relevant until 2035, with 40 Gripen C/Ds to be retained by the SwAF once the Gripen Es have entered service, giving the SwAF a total fleet of 100 Gripens.
