Gripen is a multi-role combat aircraft. Using the latest available technology it is capable of performing an extensive range of air-to-air and air-to-surface operational missions and employs the latest weapons.

Gripen is designed to meet the demands of current and future threats, while at the same time meeting strict requirements for flight safety, reliability, training efficiency and low operating costs.


Gripen is in service with the Swedish, Czech Republic and Hungarian Air Forces and has also been ordered by South Africa. The UK Empire Test Pilots’ School (ETPS) is also operating Gripen as its advanced fast jet platform for test pilots worldwide.

Gripen was declared operational in the Swedish Air Force in 1997, which has 204 aircraft on order including 28 two seaters 193 aircraft have been delivered and 96,320 flying hours and 120,149 missions flown in five fully operational, multi-mission squadrons. South Africa has ordered a fleet of 26 aircraft (9 two-seat and 17 single seat aircraft) to replace its existing front-line aircraft.

The first aircraft made its maiden flight in November 2005 and following its transfer to South Africa in July 2006 to commence its South Africa-specific flight test programme, made its South African public debut on 19 September 2006. Gripen is also in-service with the Czech Republic Air Force which has taken delivery of all of its 14 aircraft (12 single-seat and 2 two-seaters) to meet its national, European and NATO defence needs.

Hungary also has 14 Gripen aircraft (12 single-seat and 2 two seaters). Both these countries are the first Gripen operators within NATO. The United Kingdom’s (UK) Empire Test Pilots´ School (ETPS) is also operating Gripen as its advanced fast jet platform for test pilots worldwide.