Sweden Orders New Saab Missile Launcher for Gripen Jets
Sweden has ordered a new missile launch system from defense company Saab for its Gripen fighter jets to boost the operational flexibility and readiness of the country’s air force.
Valued at 1 billion Swedish krona ($104 million), the order was placed by the Sweden defense procurement agency and covers series production of the launcher for both the Gripen C/D and the newer Gripen E variants.
The system was previously developed and tested under an existing contract, with this latest order triggering full-scale production.
Mounted on the aircraft’s weapon pylons, the new launcher provides a more advanced link between the jet and its air-to-air missiles or countermeasure pods, ensuring faster and more reliable data exchange during missions.
Saab officials said the upgrade is part of efforts to keep the Swedish Air Force’s Gripen fleet modern and fully capable in evolving combat scenarios.
“The launch system is an important part in order for us to continue ensuring the availability of Gripen and supporting the Swedish Air Force’s capabilities,” Lars Tossman, head of Saab’s Aeronautics business area, said.
Advancing Sweden’s Air Defense Capabilities
Sweden has accelerated upgrades across its air defense network in recent years, with several new systems entering production or deployment.
Saab’s latest RBS 70 NG man-portable air-defense system, for example, has been introduced to replace older variants and offers improved night-operation capabilities and automatic target tracking.
In addition, the RBS 98 medium-range system, which is based on the IRIS-T missile, has been integrated into the Swedish Army’s air defense battalions. This provides a stronger shield against low-flying threats such as cruise missiles and drones.
Sweden has also commissioned new GlobalEye airborne early warning and control aircraft, which extend radar coverage for both air and maritime surveillance. The country has also received the last batch of upgraded Archer artillery systems from BAE Systems Bofors.
