After a short flyover, the first JAS 39 Gripen E for the Flygvapnet (Swedish Air Force) landed on Monday morning at Skaraborgs flygflottilj’s F7 airbase in Såtenäs on Lake Vänern, about 80 kilometers northeast of Gothenburg. The aircraft with the registration 609 is the first of a total of 60 ordered Saab Gripen E/F ordered for the Swedish Air Force.
“This is a great day not only for the Air Force, but also for the entire Swedish defense and the Alliance,” said Defense Minister Pål Jonson during the reception ceremony.
At F7 Såtenäs, Försvarsmakten today unveiled the first of 60 JAS Gripen E. This is a great day for aviation and Swedish aviation. Gripen E is an example of the Swedish technological framework and is a modern, powerful aircraft that is very popular. (1/3) pic.twitter.com/Bse70Hb5DX
– Pål Jonson (@PlJonson) October 20, 2025
Details of the Saab Gripen E
The Swedish Defense Materiel Administration (FMV) signed a contract with Saab for the development of the Gripen E in February 2013. The value of the overall program for the period up to 2026 was stated at around 4.3 billion euros at the time.
The Gripen E (single-seater) and Gripen F (two-seater) variants have a more powerful GE F414G engine with around 10 tons of thrust as well as an increased fuel capacity, which enables an operational radius of up to 1,500 kilometers. There are also ten external suspension points for armaments and equipment.
The air-to-air armament consists of the Iris-T short-range missile and the MBDA Meteor long-range missile. For air-to-ground missions, the Gripen E can carry the GBU-39 Small Diameter Bomb and the Taurus guided missile. It is armed with the Saab RBS-15 against maritime targets.
The sensor system includes a Raven ES-05 AESA radar with a ±100 degree field of view, the Skyward-G IRST infrared search and tracking system (both from Leonardo) and the Arexis electronic warfare suite from Saab.
The Gripen E is optimized for use on short runways and makeshift runways (such as closed road sections), in line with long-standing Swedish air defence doctrine.
FMV order for the fighter aircraft of the future
Just a few days ago, FMV Saab received an order order worth around 224 million euros to continue to continue and expand the concept studies for future fighter aircraft systems in the period from 2025 to 2027.
The first demonstrator is scheduled to fly in 2027, and a decision on the future aircraft system is planned for around 2030.
The Saab Gripen E/F is seen as a potential successor to the Eurofighter in the Austrian Armed Forces.
Here for more news about Saab and here for information about the Swedish Armed Forces.
