Saab has completed the assembly of the first of four additional JAS 39C Gripen fighter jets destined for the Hungarian Air Force, gradually expanding the country’s air capabilities amid growing geopolitical sensitivity on Europe’s eastern flank.
An image of the aircraft was released by the Embassy of Hungary in Stockholm, Sweden.
+ 2026 Suzuki Gixxer 250 lineup updated with refreshed styling and new colors
The new fighters were ordered in February 2024 and are additional to the contract signed in December 2001 between the Hungarian government and the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration, which laid the foundation for strategic cooperation between Budapest and Stockholm in the field of air defense. Currently, Hungary operates 14 Gripen aircraft — 12 single-seat JAS 39C and two twin-seat JAS 39D — initially acquired through a leasing agreement.
Under the current terms, the entire Gripen fleet will officially become the property of Hungary in 2026. Saab will remain responsible for logistical support, maintenance, and technical assistance for the aircraft until at least 2036, ensuring the fleet’s operational continuity in the medium and long term.
In parallel with the expansion of aircraft numbers, the Hungarian Gripens are undergoing a modernization process предусмотрed under a contract signed in August 2021 with the Ministry of Defence. The upgrades include the installation of the improved PS-05/Mk4 radar and the upgrade of mission software to the MS 20 Block 2 standard, enhancing interoperability with NATO forces and effectiveness in modern combat scenarios.
The reinforcement of capabilities also extends to armament, with the integration of IRIS-T air-to-air missiles, ordered from Germany in December 2021.
The geopolitical dimension of the program came into focus in September 2025, when Hungarian JAS 39 Gripen fighters intercepted Russian military aircraft over the Baltic Sea during a NATO Air Policing mission. The Russian aircraft were flying with radio communications switched off and without a filed flight plan, underscoring the importance of allied air readiness in the region.
The progress of Hungary’s Gripen program reflects a combination of military modernization, commitment to NATO’s collective defense, and the deepening of industrial and strategic cooperation with Sweden, in a European security environment marked by persistent tensions.
Source and images: Militarnyi | Embassy of Hungary, Stockholm – Facebook @HunEmbassy.Stockholm. This content was created with the assistance of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
