Saabhas completed assembly of the first of four additional JAS 39C Gripen fighters to be introduced to the Hungarian Air Force. This is part of the country’s efforts to gradually strengthen its air power amidst rising geopolitical tensions in the strategic environment of eastern Europe.
Images of the plane were released by the Hungarian embassy in Stockholm, Sweden.
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The new fighter jets will be ordered in February 2024 and will be in addition to a contract signed in December 2001 between the Hungarian government and the Swedish Defense Equipment Agency. This agreement laid the foundation for strategic cooperation in the field of air defense between Budapest and Stockholm. Currently, Hungary has a total of 14 aircraft, 12 single-seat JAS 39Cs and 2 two-seat JAS 39Ds, introduced through lease agreements.Gripenis operating.
According to the current arrangement, the Gripen fleet will officially become the property of Hungary in 2026. Saab will continue to provide logistical support, maintenance, and technical support for the aircraft until at least 2036, ensuring continuity of operations over the medium to long term.
In parallel with the expansion of the number of aircraft, Hungary’s Gripen fleet is being modernized under a contract signed with the Ministry of Defense in August 2021. Modifications include installing an improved PS-05/Mk4 radar and updating the mission software to the MS 20 Block 2 standard, improving interoperability with NATO forces and effectiveness in modern warfare.
Capability enhancement also extends to weapons, and an order was placed with Germany in December 2021.IRIS-TAir-to-air missile integration is underway.
The geopolitical aspects of the program came into focus in September 2025, when Hungarian JAS 39 Gripen fighter jets intercepted Russian military aircraft over the Baltic Sea as part of a NATO air policing mission. The Russian aircraft ceased radio communications and was flying without submitting a flight plan, underscoring once again the importance of allied air readiness in the region.
The progress of Hungary’s Gripen program, which combines military modernization, NATO’s commitment to collective defense, and deepening industrial and strategic cooperation with Sweden, is emblematic of Europe’s tense security environment.
Source/Image:Militarnyi | Embassy of Hungary, Stockholm – Facebook @HunEmbassy.Stockholm. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by our editorial team.
