Saab has been tasked by the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) to assist in advancing the development of its single-engine multirole fighter aircraft, Gripen.
The recent contract is worth SEK 540 million ($49.6 million) and covers activities scheduled for the business year of 2024, the Swedish aerospace and defense industry giant said in a press release Wednesday.
FMV's latest directive extends the current contract, facilitating ongoing enhancements to the Gripen system for both the Swedish Armed Forces and international users.
“This order encompasses the operation and maintenance of test aircraft, alongside advanced equipment like rigs and simulators. These resources will aid Saab in developing new features for Gripen C/D and Gripen E, as well as upgrading existing systems,” the statement reads.
Lars Tossman, head of Saab’s Aeronautics business area, emphasized, “Gripen is designed for continuous upgrades to meet current and future threats. Continued development requires sophisticated simulators and rigs that are easy to operate, cost-effective to maintain, and quick to adapt for new capabilities.”
“This order ensures that Gripen will remain at the forefront for a long time to come,” he added.
The work will mainly be carried out at Saab’s facilities in Linköping, Gothenburg, Järfälla, and Arboga, the press release added.
The Gripen C/D embodies a versatile multi-role fighter, engineered with innovative technical features. It is designed to seamlessly integrate emerging technologies and effectively address evolving threats.
According to the company, Gripen C/D offers higher availability, with the capability to refuel, re-arm, and turnaround the aircraft for an air-to-air mission in ten minutes. It can also be operated out of remote areas, courtesy of its short take-off and landing (STOL) capabilities. The fighter can take off and land from roads that are 16m wide and 800m long. Gripen C/D has been designed to be fully interoperable with NATO.
The Gripen E-series represents a fresh generation of fighter aircraft systems, tailored to confront and overcome sophisticated forthcoming challenges. This series is targeted towards customers facing heightened threats or overseeing broader territories that demand security.
Since its deployment with the Swedish Air Force in the mid-1990s, the single-engine Gripen has been exported to countries such as the Czech Republic, Hungary, South Africa, Thailand, and Brazil.
