Saab to upgrade Hungarian Gripens
Hungary has operated Gripen C/Ds since 2006-2007 under a leasing, maintenance and training arrangement with the Swedish government. (Photo: Saab)
MS20 Block 2 upgrade will enhance sensor, communications and weapons capabilities of Hungarian Gripen aircraft.
Saab is to modernise the Hungarian Air Force fleet of 14 JAS 39C/D Gripen fighter aircraft, after negotiations were concluded between the Hungarian government and the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV).
The MS20 Block 2 upgrade in Hungary will bring ‘a number of improvements’, Saab claimed in a 12 January statement, although it did not disclose when the modernisation programme will be completed.
Sensor enhancements include a radar upgrade to increase the air-to-air target tracking range and performance of the PS-05/A Mk 4.
‘This allows better detection capability of small air-to-air targets, improved clutter suppression, and brings growth potential for further developments in the air-to air and air-to-ground modes,’ Saab noted.
MS20 Block 2 will also enhance Link 16 data link communications functionality and update secure voice communication to the latest NATO standard. The upgraded Hungarian Gripens will also be fitted with IFF Mode 5 equipment.
The upgrade will allow the Hungarian Air 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.
Hungary has operated 14 Gripens since 2006-2007 under a leasing, maintenance and training arrangement with the Swedish government.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Air Warfare
-
![Protecting the horizon]()
Protecting the horizon
Make it an unfair fight, with the EA-37B. Deny, degrade, and disrupt the enemy.
-
![Singapore P-8A buy integral to future maritime domain awareness network]()
Singapore P-8A buy integral to future maritime domain awareness network
Singapore’s acquisition of the Boeing P-8A Poseidon will be part of a maritime domain awareness network that could include unmanned aerial systems.
-
![Peru cleared for possible $3.42 billion F-16 Block 70 buy]()
Peru cleared for possible $3.42 billion F-16 Block 70 buy
The potential foreign military sale covers 12 F-16 aircraft as well as related training and equipment support, the DSCA notice said.
-
![DSEI 2025: The fighter market shift to Manned-Unmanned Teaming (MUM-T)]()
DSEI 2025: The fighter market shift to Manned-Unmanned Teaming (MUM-T)
Manned-Unmanned Teaming (MUM-T) capabilities is set to become a market differentiator for fighter aircraft, allowing 4.5-5th generation platforms to remain relevant to the battlefield.
-
![Project Kuiper’s LEO network pioneers Space-as-a-Service]()
Project Kuiper’s LEO network pioneers Space-as-a-Service
The Kuiper Network enables organizations to buy, rather than build, applications that serve mission needs at mission speed.
