Saab completes HX Challenge flight tests
Saab’s Gripen E and GlobalEye AEW&C aircraft have completed flight evaluations as part of Finland’s HX Challenge, the company announced on 6 February.
The testing, carried out for the Finnish Air Force at Pirkkala Air Base in Finland, is part of the capability assessment in the ongoing HX programme, the procurement of new fighter aircraft to equip the Finnish Air Force.
The HX Challenge was carried out in Finland with tests performed under Finnish winter conditions, with the purpose to verify the data previously reported by the fighter manufacturers.
Saab has also submitted a revised offer in response to the revised Request for Quotation for the programme. Saab’s offer to Finland is a comprehensive solution based on the Gripen E/F fighter aircraft, combined with the GlobalEye AEW&C.
Jonas Hjelm, senior vice president and head of Saab business area Aeronautics, said: ‘During the past week we have successfully completed the planned tests, and hence demonstrated the capabilities of Gripen and GlobalEye, a solid and highly capable solution responding to the needs of the Finnish Air Force.’
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Air Warfare
-
![Portugal signals interest in establishing A-29N final assembly line]()
Portugal signals interest in establishing A-29N final assembly line
As the launch customer for the NATO-configured variant, Portugal also took delivery of the first five A-29N aircraft from its order for 12, placed in 2024.
-
![Leonardo signs contract on Austria’s M-346 aircraft order]()
Leonardo signs contract on Austria’s M-346 aircraft order
The first of the 12 M-346 aircraft are expected to be delivered to the Austrian Air Force by 2028, according to the company.
-
![2025 UAV market review: $7.8 billion in new contracts signed as US leads spending]()
2025 UAV market review: $7.8 billion in new contracts signed as US leads spending
Qatar and Indonesia followed the US’s high spending on new uncrewed aerial vehicle contracts across 2025, while MALE and micro drones and loitering munitions were particularly popular subcategories this year.
-
![German Navy in “ramp-up” phase as it welcomes first NH90 Sea Tiger delivery]()
German Navy in “ramp-up” phase as it welcomes first NH90 Sea Tiger delivery
With all 31 aircraft set to be delivered by 2030, the helicopters will gradually replace the ageing Sea Lynx fleet which are due to be retired in 2026.
