In a significant move to ensure the long-term operational readiness of its fighter fleet, the Swedish Armed Forces have awarded Saab a substantial contract extension for comprehensive support and maintenance services for the Gripen C/D and next-generation Gripen E aircraft. The firm order, valued at approximately 4 billion Swedish kronor (SEK), covers core delivery activities scheduled for the 2026-2027 period.
This agreement solidifies the strategic partnership between the nation’s defence forces and its premier aerospace company, guaranteeing the technical superiority and availability of a cornerstone of Swedish national security. Beyond the immediate two-year commitment, the contract incorporates flexible options allowing the Armed Forces to place additional orders for continued support and maintenance through 2029, providing crucial budgetary and planning stability for both parties.
The scope of work under this expansive contract is exhaustive, designed to cover every facet of sustaining a cutting-edge combat aircraft fleet. Saab’s responsibilities will encompass full-spectrum technical system support, the management and supply of critical spare parts, advanced repair services, and specialised training for Air Force personnel. Furthermore, the agreement includes provisions for all additional service and maintenance work essential for seamless daily flight operations, ensuring that Gripen aircraft remain mission-ready at a moment’s notice.
Lars Tossman, head of Saab’s business area Aeronautics, emphasised the contract’s strategic importance. “This extension is a testament to the enduring performance and reliability of the Gripen system and our deep, collaborative partnership with the Swedish Air Force,” Tossman stated. “Our primary focus is to deliver unwavering support that translates into exceptionally high aircraft availability. This directly underpins the Air Force’s capability to maintain a superior level of operational readiness, safeguarding Swedish sovereignty both nationally and within the framework of international cooperation.”
The Gripen C/D models form the current backbone of the Swedish fighter fleet, renowned for their agility and advanced combat systems. The ongoing integration of the more powerful, fully networked Gripen E represents a quantum leap in capability, featuring enhanced range, payload, and sensor fusion. This contract ensures that both generations of aircraft receive synchronized, world-class sustainment, maximizing the return on defence investment.
This agreement arrives at a pivotal time for European defence, highlighting Sweden’s commitment to maintaining a robust, independent, and highly capable air power. By investing in deep, long-term sustainment partnerships, the Swedish Armed Forces are not just maintaining aircraft; they are actively ensuring that the Gripen platform can continue to meet evolving security challenges for years to come, with Saab as the indispensable technical and operational partner.
