Sweden signs contract to upgrade JAS 39 Gripen C/D fighters

Saab has received an additional contract to upgrade its JAS 39 Gripen C/D multirole fighters.

This was reported by the company's press service.

It is reported that the value of the agreement signed with the Swedish Defence Material Management (FMV) is estimated at 466 million Swedish kronor.

The contract includes the integration of promising missiles of the class «air-to-air» and «air-to-surface».

«The integration of new advanced missile systems demonstrates our commitment to providing high-quality solutions. We are proud to contribute to Sweden's defense capability with this contract», – says Lars Tossman, Head of Saab's Aviation Division.

Recall that the first contracts within the framework of the modernization program for the Swedish Gripen C/D aircraft fleet received back in October 2023.

The goal of the program – gradual implementation of partial modernization of aircraft systems to increase their airworthiness by the 2030s.

In addition, this approach will help allocate funds for the phased modernization of Gripen aircraft to the Gripen E version.

Currently, the Swedish Air Force has 94 Gripen aircraft – 70 in version C and 24 in version D.

In total, the country ordered 204 aircraft, of which:

• 98 aircraft in the Swedish Air Force;
• 32 aircraft were scrapped and dismantled;
• 28 aircraft on lease to the Czech Republic and Hungary;
• 12 aircraft sold to Thailand;
• 4 aircraft in the flying role laboratories;
• 4 aircraft were lost in accidents;
• 2 aircraft were transferred to the museum.

In addition, in order to save money, about 30 preserved aircraft of the A/B version will become a platform for modernization to the E/F version.

In total, the country seeks to keep 60 aircraft in the E version in the air force.