Additional Gripens for the Hungarian Air Force

On 23 February 2024, Saab signed a contract with Försvarets materielverk (FMV, Swedish Defence Material Administration) for an order of four more JAS39C Gripen fighter aircraft destined for Hungary.

This order stems from an amendment to the contract between FMV and the Hungarian government signed in December 2001, involving fourteen Gripen C/D fighters for the Hungarian Air Force. The contract amendment for the four additional aircraft was signed by the Hungarian Ministry of Defence (MoD) and FMV on the same date. With this new amendment, the Magyar Légierö (HuAF, Hungarian Air Force) will operate a total of eighteen Gripen C/D fighters.

Since 2006, the Hungarian Air Force has leased twelve single-seat JAS39C and two dual-seat JAS39D Gripens from the Swedish company Saab. The 10-year lease contract was extended in 2016 for another decade, until 2026. One aircraft, serial 42 (JAS39D), was lost on 19 May 2015. A replacement aircraft, JAS39D with serial 44, was delivered in July 2016.

Early 2022, all JAS39 Gripens were upgraded to the MS20 Block 2 standard, except for the replacement aircraft (JAS39D 44), which was already an MS20 Block 2 aircraft. This upgrade significantly enhanced the aircraft's combat and communication capabilities.

The original fourteen Saab Gripens (including the replacement aircraft) will fully become the property of the Hungarian Air Force at the beginning of 2026 when the 10-year lease contract expires. Saab will continue to provide support and logistics for the Gripen aircraft from 2026 to 2036.

Credit photo: Hans van Herk