Sweden receives first production JAS 39 Gripen E fighter jet
The Swedish Defense Materiel Administration has received the first production JAS 39 Gripen E fighter jet. The Saab aircraft is intended for operational testing.
The fighter jet was handed over to the management at the beginning of this month. It has a tail number of 6002. The aircraft joined two Gripen E prototypes, which are also intended for testing ahead of delivery.
Thus, Saab delivered three fighter jets to the customer. The Defense Equipment Directorate reported that all aircraft are participating in the tests. If everything goes according to plan, deliveries will begin in 2025.
The Defense Equipment Directorate has received the first production Gripen E fighter jet almost four years after the Swedish aircraft made its debut flight. It took to the skies for the first time in December 2019.
Saab has only two buyers. Apart from Sweden, which has ordered 60 fighters, only Brazil has shown interest in the Gripen E. The South American country purchased 36 aircraft, becoming the first and only international customer.
