Sweden has renewed and expanded a sustainment contract with Saab worth about 4 billion krona to keep Gripen fighter operations robust while the country phases in newer aircraft. The award extends an existing 2020 multiyear framework and covers a broad set of sustainment activities including spare parts, component repair, mission-system software updates, and both pilot and technician training. The initial term runs through 2026–2027 with options to continue work through 2029, signaling intent to maintain continuity in capabilities during a staged transition to the Gripen E. The contract is intended to preserve the combat readiness of current Gripen C/D airframes by ensuring mission-system upgrades and electronic warfare enhancements are applied where needed. At the same time, it funds preparations required to integrate Gripen E aircraft into Swedish service — a move aimed at raising long-term capability while preventing operational shortfalls during the handover. Keeping most of the sustainment activity in-country underscores Sweden’s emphasis on national industrial capacity, protecting jobs and maintaining technical skills in avionics, logistics and systems integration. Sweden’s broader modernization plan includes not only aircraft upgrades but investments in flexible basing, dispersal infrastructure, and ground support upgrades. These steps are designed to make the air force more resilient and responsive to crises in Northern Europe. Saab continues to ramp Gripen E production for Sweden and export customers and is coordinating logistics and training flows to match the aircraft rollout. The new maintenance contract thus supports a pragmatic two-track approach: extend and modernize legacy capability for today’s operational demands while incrementally fielding advanced systems that will define Sweden’s air-power posture in the coming decade.
