Operational History

The Gripen is in operational service with the Swedish Air Force, which has ordered 204 aircraft (including 28 dual-seaters). The Czech Air Force and the Hungarian Air Force also operate the Gripen, and currently lease 14 Swedish Air Force aircraft each, with the option of eventually acquiring them. In both cases two of the aircraft are dual-seaters. The Czech and the Hungarian Air Force are the first Gripen operators within NATO. Gripen has also been ordered by the South African Air Force (28 aircraft, including nine dual-seaters). The British based Empire Test Pilots’ School (ETPS) is operating Gripen as its advanced fast jet platform for test pilots worldwide.

The Chilean Air Force and the Brazilian Air Force have showed interest in the JAS 39 Gripen, but both air forces delayed any involvement, though Chile is certainly interested for the fighter to complement their F-16's and upgraded Mirage 5s (called Elkans and Panteras)[citation needed].

The Croatian Air Force has announced plans to replace their MiG-21 bis aircraft, possibly with either the JAS 39 Gripen or the F-16 Falcon.[3] A decision will be reached by 2008/2009. Other nations that are still showing interest in the Gripen are Denmark, Norway, India and Slovakia, and potential export customers also include Bulgaria, Estonia, Greece, Latvia, Lithuania, Philippines, Romania, Slovenia, Switzerland and Thailand.[4]

Pakistan has also expressed an interest in acquiring the aircraft[5].

BAE Systems involvement

In 1995, Saab Military Aircraft and British Aerospace (now BAE Systems) formed the joint venture company Saab-BAe Gripen AB, with the goal of adapting, manufacturing, marketing and supporting Gripen internationally. The deal was to take advantage of BAe's global marketing experience. BAe designed an improved wing, which they manufactured, and they produced around 45% of export airframes. BAe also saw the Gripen as a complementary product to its existing aircraft, fitting between its Hawk light attack/trainer and the larger Tornado and Typhoon fighters. This cooperation was extended in 2001 with the formation of Gripen International for the same purpose.

In December 2004 SAAB and BAE agreed that from January 2005 SAAB would take full responsibility for marketing of the Gripen in light of SAAB's increased export marketing capabilities.