DefenseHungary reveals first additional Gripen fighter assembled by Saab
Hungary has revealed the first of four additional Gripen C fighters that will be delivered to the Hungarian Air Force, after the country’s embassy in Sweden published a photo taken during a visit to Saab’s facilities. The aircraft shown is the first unit assembled under a contract extension signed in early 2024.
The additional Gripen fighters were ordered in February last year through an amendment to Hungary’s long-standing agreement with Sweden’s Defence Materiel Administration, originally concluded in 2001. The deal increases the size of Hungary’s Gripen fleet from 14 to 18 aircraft.
Hungary currently operates 12 single-seat JAS 39C and two two-seat JAS 39D fighters, which have been leased from Saab since entering service in 2007. Under the revised agreement, ownership of the entire Gripen fleet will be transferred to Hungary in 2026, while Saab will continue to provide maintenance and logistical support until at least 2036.
Saab has not disclosed whether the four additional aircraft will all be single-seat Gripen C variants or include two-seat Gripen Ds.
Under a separate contract signed in 2021, Hungary’s Gripens are being upgraded to the MS20 Block 2 standard. This includes the PS-05/A Mk4 radar, software updates, improved NATO Link 16 connectivity and Mode 5 Identification Friend or Foe capability.
The upgrade package also allows the Hungarian Air Force to employ a wider range of modern weapons, including the IRIS-T short-range air-to-air missile, GBU-49 laser-guided bombs and the Meteor beyond-visual-range missile. Hungary introduced the IRIS-T into service after ordering the weapon from Germany in late 2021.
Hungary introduced the Gripen to replace its MiG-29 fighters, and the type has been in service with the air force since 2007.
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