Saab Gripen E/F

China’s own upgrades are driving other nations in the region toward change.

An ongoing software problem haunts Lockheed Martin’s production and modernization agenda for the F-35 as a raft of new competitors hit key milestones in 2024.

New-build deliveries of fighter aircraft are expected to eclipse 5,000 airframes globally, for a total value of nearly $460 billion USD. Lockheed Martin’s F-35 is expected to capture 34% of that total.

Sweden’s government appears to be softening its stance toward a potential transfer of Saab Gripen combat aircraft to Ukraine.

The contract is part of a multi-phase project on which GKN has been working since 2019 with Sweden’s Defense Materiel Administration (FMV) and Saab.

Prague countered critics of its F-35 decision, who claim the aircraft is too expensive for the Eastern European country to operate.

The Czech government has approved the acquisition of Lockheed Martin’s F-35 Joint Strike Fighter.

British Eurofighter Typhoons and Norwegian Lockheed Martin F-35 Joint Strike Fighters have performed their first landings and takeoffs from road runways.

The Czech Republic has claimed that acquiring and operating Lockheed Martin’s F-35 Joint Strike Fighter will be cheaper than operating Saab’s Gripen E.

The two countries declare such a transfer only would take place once the infrastructure at Ukrainian airfields is made suitable for the aircraft’s operation.

In June 2022, Sweden’s defense materiel agency FMV awarded a contract to Saab to begin studies on the next generation of combat aircraft.

When Saab test pilot Andre Brannstrom launches the Gripen E into the skies above the RIAT, it will be the type’s debut display outside Scandinavia.

Embraer is looking to grab a slice of Europe’s defense modernization pie with sales of the C-390 airlifter and A-29 Super Tucano.

Sweden’s defense materiel agency FMV is awaiting political approval to begin studies into a new-generation combat aircraft beyond the new Saab Gripen E.

Hungary has joined the Czech Republic and Poland in the protection of Slovakia’s airspace.

Five European countries are proposing the development of a new short-range air-to-air missile capable of countering future combat aircraft.

The opening of the new line establishes Gripen production in South America as Brazil's neighbors shop for new fighters.

Brazil’s largest defense company studies options for partnering on next-generation fighters and developing light utility transports.

Brazil's Jaguar Squadron has been focused on becoming acquainted with the new capabilities of the Swedish-built jets, including new sensors and weapons.

The comments come a year after air force officials proposed to add four F-39s to the first batch, then acquire a second batch of 26.

The memorandum of understanding marks the first time the industrial partners have agreed to collaborate on the C-390 and fighter technologies beyond the Gripen.

Commanders of the Nordic air forces—Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden—have committed to closer cooperation so they can operate in a more unified way.

The four aerostructures, including the wing and fuselage sections, are being delivered to Embraer’s final assembly line in Gavial Peixoto, Sao Paulo state.

The investment will support maintenance of the General Electric F414 engines that equip Sweden’s new Gripen E fighters and older F404 engines on its Gripen C/D.

The European Defense Agency (EDA) has funded Airbus, Spanish company GMV, the German aerospace center DLR and German firm AES Technology.