Aircraft
Hungary to Upgrade Saab Gripen Fighters
Modifications to Hungary’s Gripens will allow them to fire new weapons, such as the IRIS-T and Meteor air-to-air missiles.
A Hungarian Gripen fighter undertakes a routine air defense patrol with live AIM-120 AMRAAM and AIM-9M Sidewinder air-to-missiles. (Photo: Saab)
A Hungarian Gripen fighter undertakes a routine air defense patrol with live AIM-120 AMRAAM and AIM-9M Sidewinder air-to-missiles. (Photo: Saab)

The Hungarian government and Sweden’s FMV defense materiel administration have concluded negotiations over the upgrade of Hungary’s leased Saab JAS 39C/D Gripen fighters to the latest Mission System (MS) 20 Block 2 configuration. Under the deal—announced by Saab on January 12—the aircraft will receive enhancements to sensors and communications, as well as expanded weapons options.