SAAB JAS 39

The Saab JAS 39 Gripen (IPA: [ˈɡrǐːpɛn]; English: griffin) is a Swedish aerospace and military company's light single-engine multirole fighter aircraft. The Gripen is equipped with a delta wing and canard layout, as well as a relaxed stability design and fly-by-wire flying controls. Later aircraft are completely NATO compatible. More than 271 Gripens of all versions, A-F, had been constructed as of 2020.

The Swedish government initiated research studies for fighter, attack, and reconnaissance aircraft to replace the Saab 35 Draken and 37 Viggen in the Swedish Air Force in 1979. Saab's new design was chosen and developed as the JAS 39. The maiden flight took place in 1988, and the first serial production plane was delivered in 1993. It was first used by the Swedish Air Force in 1996. In 2003, upgraded models with more modern avionics and modifications for extended mission durations entered service.

Saab created collaborations and collaborative efforts with abroad aerospace businesses to promote the aircraft globally. Early Gripen models saw some success on the international market, with sales to countries in Central Europe, South Africa, and Southeast Asia. Bribery was suspected in several of these procurements, however, the case was terminated by Swedish authorities in 2009.

A substantial overhaul of the Gripen series, previously known as the Gripen NG (Next Generation) or Super JAS, has begun delivery to the Swedish and Brazilian air forces in 2019. A wider fuselage, a more powerful engine, improved weapons payload capabilities, and redesigned cockpit, avionics architecture, electronic warfare system, and other enhancements distinguish the JAS C from the JAS E.

Role: Multirole fighter
National origin: Sweden
Manufacturer: Saab AB
Design group: Industrigruppen JAS, FMV
First flight: 9 December 1988
Introduction: 9 June 1996
Status: In-service
Primary users: Swedish Air ForceSouth African Air ForceBrazilian Air ForceCzech Air Force
Produced: 1987–present
Number built: 271+