FMV seeks longer life for Swedish Gripens
Saab will define what is needed to meet Swedish requirements for the continued effective operation and availability of Gripen C/D until 2035.
Swedish defence procurement agency FMV has awarded Saab an SEK185 million ($22.3 million) contract to extend the service life of the JAS 39 Gripen C/D fighter aircraft.
Work is scheduled to be completed in December 2021.
The contract should see the Gripen C/D remain in service with the Swedish Air Force until 2035, aircraft manufacturer Saab noted in a 22 December statement.
‘Gripen C/D is the backbone of the Swedish Air Force and will be for many years to come. The result of the work will be that the customer has the ability to take different directions depending on their future needs,’ said Jonas Hjelm, Saab senior vice-president and head of the Aeronautics business area.
Apart from Sweden, Gripen C/D is operated by the Czech, Hungarian, South African and Thai air forces, plus the UK Empire Test Pilots’ School.
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