Sweden eyes Gripen upgrade amid ‘urgent need’ for improved electronic warfare
Following a decision by Swedish political leadership in 2019 to improve the country’s military capabilities, weapons procurement has surged, said Brig. Gen. Lars Helmrich.
Following a decision by Swedish political leadership in 2019 to improve the country’s military capabilities, weapons procurement has surged, said Brig. Gen. Lars Helmrich.
For Thailand, the new Gripens will be equipped with the Raven ES-05 Active Electronically Scanned Array radar, Infra-Red Search and Track systems and datalinks.
Key specifics remain under wraps regarding a potential deal between Saab and Colombia, including the number of aircraft involved, delivery timelines, and the total cost of the agreement.
“Aerospace cooperation is important to both Sweden and Brazil. The new letter of intent provides a basis for us to further deepen this cooperation,” Swedish Minister for Defence Pål Jonson said in a statement.
Hungary was the third country, behind Sweden and Czech Republic to operate the Gripen C/D planes, initially acquired under a lease agreement for 12 single seaters (Gripen C) and a pair of two seaters (Gripen D).
Stockholm has instructed the Swedish Armed Forces to “thoroughly” analyze and report on the impact of “defence capabilities, defence economy and other defence activities and planning,” relating to the supply of Gripens to Kyiv.
The $5 billion deal would see Prague get all 24 F-35As by 2035, while seeking to extend a lease of older Saab Gripen jets thorough that date.
The companies hope their intercontinental partnership will expand sales of their own jets and increase collaboration on existing orders.
The scramble rate of Hungarian Gripen fighter jets has not changed significantly since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, though all number of Russian aircraft have been intercepted, Hungarian commander says.
The recommendation from RUSI reopens debate around Western fighter jets being sent to Ukraine, with the Swedish aircraft being tipped to provide exceptional operation value, especially against Russian long-range missile strikes.