Saab has received a SEK 2.9 billion order from Sweden’s Defence Materiel Administration, FMV, to continue development and demonstration work on technologies for a future fighter system, according to the company.
The contract covers work from 2026 to 2028 and includes options extending activity into 2029 and 2030. It builds on earlier agreements placed with Saab in 2024 and 2025 as Sweden develops options for the future of its air combat capability.
The programme will include both flying and ground-based demonstrators, alongside advanced studies and development of future system concepts involving crewed and uncrewed platforms.
Saab said the work would cover a broad range of technologies needed for a future combat air system, including systems integration, autonomy, propulsion, signature management and digital development.
The company said: “The work includes flying and ground-based demonstrators, advanced studies and the development of future system concepts for manned and unmanned systems.”
The contract is intended to move beyond purely conceptual studies by allowing technologies to be demonstrated and assessed before Sweden takes future decisions on the shape of its air combat force.
Saab said the programme would strengthen Swedish capability in several areas considered central to the development of a future fighter system, while also preserving domestic expertise and reducing technical risk before later procurement decisions are taken.
The company said: “The programme strengthens Sweden’s national capabilities in systems integration, autonomy, signature adaptation, propulsion, digital development and future production capabilities. The work also contributes to building competence, reducing technical risks and creating freedom of action for future choices in Sweden’s air combat capabilities.”
The reference to both crewed and uncrewed systems reflects the increasingly broad scope of future combat-air programmes, where a conventional fighter aircraft may operate as part of a larger system involving autonomous aircraft, sensors, weapons and networked command-and-control capabilities.
Sweden has retained an independent national combat-air design and manufacturing capability through Saab, with the company currently responsible for the Gripen family of fighter aircraft. The new order is focused on technologies and concepts for what could follow or complement existing capabilities rather than announcing a production aircraft.
Lars Tossman, head of Saab’s Aeronautics business area, said: “We are very pleased that FMV continues to show confidence in Saab through this new contract. The work is crucial to further develop and demonstrate new technologies that will be central to future fighter system.”
The new contract follows concept work commissioned during the previous two years and gives Saab a further three-year period in which to mature technologies and demonstrate possible approaches.
Flying demonstrators will provide a means of testing technologies in the air, while ground-based systems can be used to develop and evaluate areas such as software, sensors, autonomy, mission systems and integration before they are incorporated into more complex aircraft.
The programme is intended to preserve the industrial knowledge required to design and manufacture advanced combat aircraft in Sweden, rather than considering only the performance of an eventual platform.
