Saab has finalized a contract with the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) and received a formal order to deliver four additional Gripen C fighter aircraft destined for the Hungarian Air Force.

The order expands upon a December 2001 bilateral agreement between the FMV and the Hungarian Government, which initially covered a fleet of 14 Gripen C/D fighters. The contractual amendment to purchase the four supplemental airframes was formally concluded by the Hungarian Ministry of Defence and the FMV on 23 February 2024. Following the integration of these new multi-role aircraft, Hungary will field a total fleet of 18 Gripen C/D fighters tasked with securing Hungarian sovereign airspace and supporting NATO integrated air defence missions.

“With the Gripen fighter, Hungary has one of Europe’s most capable air forces,” stated Micael Johansson, President and CEO of Saab. “We look forward to continuing our close collaboration with the Hungarian Government and defence industry.”

Saab maintains an active engineering and logistical support contract with the FMV for the upkeep of the Hungarian fleet, with operational readiness frameworks positioned to provide advanced upgrades and sustainment services beyond 2035. Concurrently, Saab and the Hungarian Ministry of Defence have executed a Memorandum of Understanding focused on high-tech industrial development and local aviation capabilities. This strategic partnership includes corporate support for the establishment of a dedicated Centre of Excellence for Virtual Reality (VR) technologies within Hungary.