Sweden has awarded Saab a 466-million Swedish krona ($42 million) contract to upgrade its fleet of Gripen C/D fighter aircraft.
It includes the integration of new air-to-air and air-to-ground missiles, ensuring the platform’s relevance for years to come.
“The extension of the Gripen C/D contract marks an important step forward for our defence,” said the head of Saab’s Aeronautics business area, Lars Tossman.
“The integration of new advanced missile systems demonstrates our commitment to delivering high-quality solutions. We are proud to contribute to Sweden’s defence capability through this contract.”
The contract is an extension of a 3.5-billion Swedish krona ($316 million) upgrade Saab was awarded in December 2022, including a new engine, radar, and electronic warfare system.
Several contracts have been awarded since then as an extension of the upgrade, including a 540-million-krona ($50 million) contract in April for the operation and support of test aircraft and equipment such as rigs and simulators.
Gripen
Inducted into the service in 1996, the multi-role aircraft has been designed to perform a range of missions, including air defense, ground attack, and reconnaissance.
Additional features include extreme maneuverability and a low radar signature.
Around 70 Gripen Cs and 20 Gripen Ds are currently operational with the Swedish Air Force, with the upgrades keeping them operationally relevant until 2035.
Out of the lot, around 40 would be retained along with the 60 next-generation Gripen Es, which have been inducted into the service since December 2021.
