Swedish Air Force Inducts Gripen E Fighter Jet

The Swedish Air Force officially inducted its first JAS 39 Gripen E fighter jet on October 20.

The combat aircraft landed at Skaraborg’s F 7 air base, where the handover ceremony brought together representatives from the Ministry of Defense, the Armed Forces, the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV), and Saab.

The Gripen E is described as a new aircraft type rather than an upgrade of the Gripen C/D models. It features extended range, increased payload capacity, advanced sensors, radar, and communication systems designed for contested environments.

Air Force Chief Jonas Wikman noted that while the Gripen E will eventually replace the Gripen C/D fleet, both aircraft types will operate in parallel for several years.

The Gripen E, built by Saab, is equipped to operate in uncertain or hostile airspace—environments where Sweden may not hold full control. It will gradually take over missions currently performed by the C/D variants, introducing a new phase in Sweden’s air defense strategy.