The Swedish Air Force has officially taken delivery of its first Saab Gripen E multirole fighter jet, marking a major milestone in the modernization of Sweden’s airpower. The handover ceremony was held at F 7 Skaraborg Wing, the air force’s primary Gripen training and conversion base near Lidköping.
Describing the arrival as “an important milestone in the development of Swedish defence,” officials highlighted decades of close collaboration between the Swedish Armed Forces, the Defence Materiel Administration (FMV), and Saab. Commander-in-Chief General Michael Claesson noted that the Gripen E strengthens Sweden’s national defence and enhances cooperation with allied forces.
From Gripen C/D to E: A Quantum Leap in Capability
The first Gripen E is part of a 60-aircraft order signed in 2013, valued at approximately SEK 47 billion ($4.2 billion). Deliveries will continue through the late 2020s, gradually replacing the ageing JAS 39C/D Gripen fleet. Sweden becomes the first European air force to induct the Gripen E, with full operational service expected by 2027.
The Gripen E builds on the family’s compact delta-canard design while offering significant technological upgrades:
- Power and Performance: The new General Electric F414-G engine delivers 25% more thrust, improving climb, acceleration, and high-altitude performance.
- Range and Endurance: Larger internal fuel capacity extends combat radius to around 1,500 km, 40% higher than earlier variants.
- Advanced Avionics: Raven ES-05 AESA radar and Skyward-G IRST system provide 360-degree situational awareness.
- Network-Centric Warfare: Open-architecture avionics enable rapid software updates and seamless integration with NATO assets.
- Expanded Weapons Compatibility: Supports Meteor BVRAAM, IRIS-T, AIM-9X, JDAM, and future long-range munitions.
- Survivability: Modern electronic-warfare suite with radar-warning receivers, active jamming, and towed decoys.
- Pilot Interface: Wide-area touchscreen displays and helmet-mounted sights enhance decision-making in complex scenarios.
According to Colonel Mattias Ottis, Commander of the Skaraborg Air Flotilla, the Gripen E is “a completely new system—built to meet future demands for survivability, range, sensors and collaboration.”
Operational Plans and Training
Sweden aims to induct all 60 Gripen E jets by 2030, with units stationed at F 7 Skaraborg, F 17 Kallinge, and F 21 Luleå. Initial Operational Capability (IOC) is projected for late 2026 or early 2027, followed by Full Operational Capability (FOC) as the fleet grows. The Gripen E is designed for operations in contested environments, capable of dispersal operations, short-field takeoffs, and resilient performance under electronic interference.
Export Potential Boosted by Domestic Induction
The first Gripen E delivery also strengthens Saab’s global export prospects. Brazil, Thailand, and Colombia have already committed to acquiring the aircraft, with further interest reported from NATO members in Eastern Europe, Peru, the Philippines, and Canada. Saab emphasizes that Sweden’s own adoption demonstrates the aircraft’s maturity and credibility on the global stage.
With its combination of advanced sensors, networked warfare capability, and cost-effectiveness, the Gripen E is emerging as a credible alternative to heavier, fifth-generation fighters, positioning Sweden and Saab at the forefront of modern aerial combat capability.
