The delivery marks a new era for Swedish air defense, with 60 units of the modern multirole fighter ordered in 2013.
The Swedish Armed Forces have officially received the first of sixty new JAS 39 Gripen E fighters ordered in 2013. The delivery, reported by the institution itself, took place during a solemn ceremony at the Skaraborg Air Base F 7, attended by representatives from the Ministry of Defense, the Försvarets Materielverk (FMV), and the manufacturer Saab.
+ Click here to watch the Gripen E presentation video
“This is an important milestone in the development of Swedish defense. It is the result of long-standing interaction and close cooperation between the Armed Forces, FMV, and the Swedish industry. The Gripen E strengthens our national defense capabilities to face future threats together with our allies. Keep inspiring us,” said Commander-in-Chief Michael Claesson during the event.
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Fighter designed to operate in contested airspace
According to the Armed Forces, the JAS 39 Gripen E was designed to operate in “contested airspace” scenarios, where neither side has full control of the environment. The aircraft was developed to function even under uncertain conditions, taking off and landing on short runways and dispersed bases — a cornerstone of Sweden’s defense doctrine.
Unlike previous transitions — such as from the Viggen to the Gripen — the new model will not completely replace its predecessors. The plan is to keep the JAS 39C/D versions in service for an extended period while the Gripen E gradually assumes current missions.
Main differences between the Gripen C/D and the Gripen E
Saab delivered the first production unit of the Gripen E to the Swedish Air Force in the autumn of 2023, allowing the start of pilot and technician training.
Among the main improvements over previous variants are:
- More powerful GE F414G engine;
- Increased internal fuel capacity;
- Ten external hardpoints for weapons and payloads;
- Next-generation Raven ES-05 AESA AFAR radar;
- Skyward-G infrared search and tracking system;
- High-performance Arexis electronic warfare system.
The main armament includes the long-range Meteor missile — capable of engaging targets beyond visual range — and the IRIS-T for close combat.
Looking ahead: Sweden’s new fighter program
In addition to the commissioning of the Gripen E, the FMV, in collaboration with Saab and GKN Aerospace, is already working on a new fighter aircraft program. The project foresees the construction of a technology demonstrator by 2027, with the first test flights expected in the same year.
Source and images: Försvarsmakten | X @Forsvarsmakten | X @PlJonson. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
