Hungary to get more Gripens from Saab
Hungary ordered 14 Gripen JAS 39C/D fighters in late 2001. (Photo: Saab)
The new order followed a 2022 announcement that Saab would modernise the Hungarian Air Force’s current fleet of 14 JAS 39C/D Gripen fighter aircraft.
Hungary will boost its Gripen JAS 39C/D fleet to 18 after Saab signed an agreement with Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) for four additional Gripen JAS 39C fighter for the Hungarian Air Force.
The order followed the original contract between FMV and the Hungarian Government signed in December 2001 for 14 Gripen C/D fighters for the air force. The contract amendment for the four additional aircraft was signed by the Hungarian Ministry of Defence and FMV on 23 February 2024.
Saab has a contract with FMV regarding support for Hungary’s Gripen aircraft, stating that it was ready to provide additional upgrades and support for the Hungarian fighters beyond 2035. There has also been an MoU signed regarding development of high-tech industrial areas and fighter-aircraft capabilities.
The cooperation will include support for the establishment of a Centre of Excellence for VR technologies in Hungary.
Saab has also been improving the current fleet which has included a radar upgrade to increase the air-to-air target tracking range and performance of the PS-05/A Mk 4, as well as enhancing Link 16 data-link communications functionality and updating secure voice communication to the latest NATO standard.
The upgraded Gripens will be fitted with IFF Mode 5 equipment to allow the force to arm its Gripens with a broader variety of weapons such as the IRIS-T short-range air-to-air missile, the GBU-49 laser-guided bomb and the Meteor beyond-visual range AAM.
The additional aircraft and upgrades will add a bigger punch to Hungary’s air-defence and ground-attack capability at a time of high tension in Eastern Europe.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Air Warfare
-
![Bundeswehr launches loitering munition spending spree with $2.16 billion unassigned]()
Bundeswehr launches loitering munition spending spree with $2.16 billion unassigned
After months of delays, Rheinmetall has inked a €300 million deal with Germany for its FV-014 drone this week as part of a wider framework contract worth €2.4 billion for loitering munition procurement. Shephard looks at how the as-yet-unawarded funds could be spent.
-
![FY2027 budget request highlights shift in USAF’s future aerial refuelling priorities]()
FY2027 budget request highlights shift in USAF’s future aerial refuelling priorities
The USAF’s Next-Generation Aerial Refuelling Programme is coming under scrutiny in the wake of the Pentagon’s FY2027 budget request, signalling a change in how the force could prioritise the modernisation of its tanker fleet.
-
![Industry makes strides on CCA programme as USAF makes nearly $1 billion funding request]()
Industry makes strides on CCA programme as USAF makes nearly $1 billion funding request
Anduril’s YFQ-44A has successfully undergone USAF experimental testing for Increment 1, while an engine has officially been selected for Northrop Grumman’s YFQ-48A – a potential candidate for Increment 2 of the air force’s CCA programme.
-
![Australia’s revised defence investment plan: what it means for air warfare]()
Australia’s revised defence investment plan: what it means for air warfare
The Australian government’s 2026 National Defence Strategy has unveiled a major spending uplift planned for the Royal Australian Air Force, focused on upgrading its air combat and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities, as well as upping investment in uncrewed aerial systems.
-
![What does the FY2027 US budget signal for the country’s future airpower plans?]()
What does the FY2027 US budget signal for the country’s future airpower plans?
The record-breaking defence budget request focuses on bolstering some core next-generation aircraft programmes across each domain, although questions remain on the US's commitment to some key defence programmes.
