For the first time since Sweden became a full NATO member on 7 March 2024, the Scandinavian country will send its indigenous developed SAAB Gripen fighter jets on live-armed NATO missions.
Up to eight JAS 39 Gripen C/D jets will be deployed to Poland, likely Mińsk Mazowieck Airbase, to support the Baltic Air Policing operations. Another eight might be deployed to Poland this summer to provide air cover for NATO’s operations in supporting weapon’s deliveries to Ukraine (NATO Security Assistance and Training for Ukraine; NSATU). All aircraft and most of the 110 personnel will come from Norrbottens flygflottilj F 21, the air combat wing based at Luleå Airbase in the far north of the country.
Earlier Gripen combat operations
Sweden’s Gripen aircraft have been deployed to international operations in the past, and flew 650 combat missions totalling 2,000 flight hours with eight jets over Libya in 2011. Gripen pilots have also trained together with NATO allies in Europe, as well as in the United States.
Gripen in Swedish and foreign service
About 74 JAS 39 Gripen Cs and 24 Gripen Ds remain in Swedish Air Force service, with the country having ordered 60 new Gripens of the bigger and more capable Gripen E version. So far, at least three E-types have been delivered and Sweden is expected to expand the order with another 10 aircraft.
The Czech Republic (14 C/D leased), Hungary (14 C/D leased), Thailand (12 C/D delivered, one crashed) and South Africa (26 C/D) also fly the older versions of the Gripen. While Brazil procurred 28 Gripen E single-seaters and eight Gripen F dual-seater and extended it later to 45 aircraft in total. Total requirement of Brazil is reportedly more than 100 Gripens. | © 2025 Marcel Burger, nordicreporter.com (text and photo)