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Saab Gripen E/F

Saab · Fighter / Attack · Sweden · Digital Age (2010–present)

Saab Gripen E/F — Fighter / Attack
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The Saab Gripen E/F is the next-generation variant of the Saab JAS 39 Gripen — see the canonical entry at Saab JAS 39 Gripen. Entering service in 2020, the E/F introduces the Selex ES-05 Raven AESA radar, a redesigned glass cockpit, expanded internal fuel, and an upgraded electronic-warfare suite.

Sweden has ordered roughly 60 airframes through 2030, Brazil roughly 36, and Colombia roughly 16 (ordered 2025). Final assembly takes place at Saab's Linköping plant, with licensed Brazilian production handled by Embraer at São José dos Campos for the Brazilian fleet.

For Kids — a shorter, friendlier version

The Saab Gripen E/F is the newest version of the Swedish Gripen fighter. Saab updated the older Gripen C/D with a bigger engine, a new AESA radar, longer range, and more weapons. The Gripen E first flew in 2017 and entered service with Sweden in 2024.

The Gripen E has one engine, a General Electric F414G, which is bigger and stronger than the older Volvo RM12. Top speed is Mach 2, faster than a rifle bullet. The plane has 10 weapons stations under its wings, two more than the Gripen C. The new ES-05 Raven radar is an AESA, the same kind used on the F-35.

Sweden, Brazil, and the Czech Republic have all bought Gripen E or F. Sweden has 60 on order, Brazil has 36, and the Czech Republic has 24. The two-seat F version is built for Brazil. Each Gripen E costs about $85 million, less than half the price of an F-35.

The Gripen is famous for being cheap to fly and easy to fix. Saab built the Gripen to operate from short runways or even highways, important for Sweden, which expects roads to become emergency airbases in wartime. The Gripen E continues this tradition with even better road-base operations.

Fun Facts

  • The Gripen E first flew in 2017 with a new American GE F414 engine.
  • Sweden, Brazil, and the Czech Republic have all ordered Gripen E or F jets.
  • Top speed is Mach 2, faster than a rifle bullet.
  • The two-seat F version was built mainly for Brazil.
  • Each Gripen E costs about $85 million, less than half the price of an F-35.
  • Gripens can take off and land on closed highways used as emergency airfields.
  • About 96 Gripen E/F jets have been ordered so far worldwide.

Kids’ Questions

How is the E different from the older Gripen C?

The Gripen E is bigger, with a stronger engine, more fuel, more weapons stations, and a new AESA radar. It can carry more weapons, fly farther, and see farther on radar than the older C. The C is still good, but the E is more competitive against modern Russian and Chinese fighters.

Why is it cheap to fly?

Saab designed the Gripen to be simple. A ground crew of just six people can refuel and rearm a Gripen in 10 minutes. The engine is easy to swap, parts are common, and the plane uses less fuel than bigger fighters like the F-35. All this means it costs less per flight hour to operate than most other jets.

What is highway operation?

Most fighter jets need long paved runways. The Gripen was built to use shorter runways or even closed highway sections as emergency airfields. In wartime, Sweden plans to scatter its fighters to many small airstrips, including roads, so the enemy can't destroy them all. The Gripen E can do this even better than the older C.

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