Saab secures 1,000 million Swedish kronor contract from Sweden to develop new Gripen weapon launchers

• Add Zona Militar to Google

Why add us? Get the latest from Zona Militar in your Google feed.

• Join the WhatsApp channel

Join our official WhatsApp channel and receive the news instantly.

Contract details for Saab’s new Gripen weapon launchers

Yesterday, Saab announced that Sweden has awarded it a new contract worth 1,000 million Swedish kronor to move forward with the development of new weapon launchers for the Gripen C/D and Gripen E fighter aircraft, as set out by Sweden’s Defence Materiel Administration (FMV). Officially, the order is aimed at establishing series production of the items in question, and it sits within an existing contract that already covers development and integration of the system on the aircraft.

👉 Read also: USAF production of the new glide bomb with more than 550 kilometres of range gets the green light

Commenting on the announcement, Lars Tossman, Head of Saab’s Aeronautics business area, said: “The launch system is an important part for us to continue ensuring Gripen availability and supporting the capabilities of the Swedish Air Force.”

These launcher systems are responsible for carrying the air-to-air missiles and the countermeasure pods fitted to today’s Gripen variants. They are installed on the aircraft’s pylons and interface with the jet via a sophisticated link between the platform and the weapons it carries.

Recent milestones for the Swedish Air Force Gripen E fleet

The news comes only days after the Swedish Air Force reported that it had received and inducted its first Gripen E, setting the pace for the full fleet of 60 aircraft the service is expecting to add. As we reported on 21 October, the aircraft featured in an official ceremony held at Skaraborg Air Base, the future home station for the type, where Defence Minister Pål Jonson was in attendance.

With this milestone, Swedish fighter aviation gains a platform noted for its Raven ES-05 AESA radar and the General Electric F414G engine, alongside new electronic warfare and communications systems, with further additions enabled by its modular design.

📌 You may be interested in

• Colombia joins the Gripen User Group and strengthens the induction of its new JAS-39 E/F fighters
• Soldiers, ballistic missiles and millions of rounds of ammunition: the figures behind North Korea’s military aid to Russia in the war against Ukraine

Wider outlook: Ukraine interest and Sweden’s next-generation fighter programme

Separately, it is worth noting that Saab could be facing a significant potential order for Gripen fighters from the Ukrainian Air Force, which is reportedly looking to add up to 150 aircraft as part of its reinforcement and renewal plans. Although no purchase agreement has yet been confirmed, Stockholm and Kyiv have already signed the relevant Letter of Intent, marking the first formal step towards any acquisition; it has also been indicated that the preliminary technical evaluations have been completed.

Looking further ahead for Swedish combat aviation, the Swedish Air Force and Saab are also progressing work on the fighter that is expected to replace the Gripen in the future. This is the conceptual programme known as Framtida Stridsflygsystem. The latest updates suggest an ambition to have a flying technology demonstrator by 2027, supported by investments such as a newly announced contractual expansion totalling 2,676 million Swedish kronor, as communicated by the FMV.

Images used for illustrative purposes