Saab has received a new order worth around SEK 2.6 billion from the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) to continue conceptual studies on future fighter systems between 2025 and 2027, the company stated.
The work will cover manned and unmanned aircraft concepts within a broader “system of systems” framework, combining technology development and demonstrator programmes. Saab confirmed that it will continue its collaboration with FMV, the Swedish Armed Forces, the Swedish Defence Research Agency (FOI), GKN Aerospace, and other national industry partners as part of the effort.
According to Saab, the new contract represents an extension and expansion of a previous agreement signed in March 2024.
“This order sets the next step on our joint journey in delivering innovative solutions to meet future operational needs of the Swedish Armed Forces and other customers,” said Lars Tossman, head of Saab’s Aeronautics business area.
The studies form part of Sweden’s broader research into future air power options beyond the JAS 39 Gripen, which Saab continues to upgrade for national and export customers. The company said the new phase will help refine technologies and operational concepts that could underpin future manned and unmanned platforms for Sweden and its defence partners.
Sweden’s push for a future fighter comes from a long tradition of building its own combat aircraft. For decades, the country’s defence policy has centred on self-reliance and freedom of action. From the Viggen in the 1970s to the Gripen in the 1990s, Saab has produced aircraft tailored to Sweden’s geography, limited resources, and export ambitions. The latest Gripen E and F models are the most advanced yet, but the future-fighter programme marks the start of a new cycle of design and experimentation.
Saab’s current work views air combat as a networked ecosystem rather than a single aircraft. The studies include manned jets, autonomous drones, and the systems that link them together.
Possible collab with GCAP? Sweden have never been able to develop their own fighters from scratch, and we are certainly the friendliest of the available consortiums.
Or should that be consortia?
Consortiarum? Been three years since I did Latin.
Do you say comments in fora or forums? The persistent use of Latin plurals in (some and by no means all) words when spoken in English is bizarre.
It would be consorts surely…..?
But that might be misunderstood….
I think you just mean ‘best of the possible possible project partners to form/enlarge a consortium’
Wasn’t Sweden a technology partner or some such, back when it was just Tempest and before the GCAP program crystallised around UK, Italy and Japan?
Yeah they put a little money in to the early R&D and were particularly interested in the drone wingmen aspect, however they realised the computer and sensor tech for Tempest wouldn’t be transferable into the existing Gripen platform due to weight/electricity requirements.
I expect the Swedes will also want a next-gen fighter that is small and light enough to operate from roads and rough air strips, like the Gripen, and that isn’t the direction the Tempest is heading in!
Yeah the have different requirements for sure. the US and others want their 6th gen to be extremely long range- the US for the pacific of course. Sweden probably wants a smaller defensive fighter.
Agree they want air defence rather than long range bombers.
Wasn’t there discussions previously to bring Sweden onboard for GCAP but they subsequently ruled this out in favour of designing their own aircraft?
Yes but Saab wanted to make it a hatchback.
I suspect a combo of them used to not being part of NATO when it comes to decisions snd old habits die hard and gcap likely to be very expensive. They want low cost allowing for higher volume.
They probably want a single engine fighter. I’m guessing that where Tempest will be quite high end, but not in NGAD territory, Sweden will want a lower end of the market stealth Gripen.
Photos of reduced scale test model experiments are in the public domain and they look very cool.
It just seems like the west is hell bent on large, twin jet, hi tech and very expensive aircraft. That’s 4 aircraft all trying to compete for export orders and due to the costs end up with even fewer aircraft.
Sweden has always gone then their own way and have a taste for single engine, simple to service, robust but high tech aircraft and this-looks no different. I have said this before but we need mass and this sort of aircraft could be just the ticket.
If Germany leaves the FCAS program, would it possible for them to collaborate with Sweden on a sixth gen aircraft. France want’s an aircraft that is capable of operating from carriers and carrying nuclear weapons, Germany and Sweden don’t.
Germany is actively Considering alternatives to FCAS. It is a real shame we didnt join Tempest.