Sweden advances Gripen modernization with artificial intelligence and electronic warfare enhancements
{loadposition bannertop}
{loadposition sidebarpub}
According to information released at the Paris Air Show at Le Bourget on June 16, 2025, the Swedish Air Force has confirmed an urgent initiative to modernize its frontline Saab JAS 39 Gripen fighter jets by incorporating advanced electronic warfare (EW) capabilities. Col. Frederik Süsskind, leading the Gripen’s development program, emphasized that the EW upgrade is critical amid Europe’s intensifying security environment and NATO’s emphasis on electronic spectrum dominance. This effort will align with the ongoing induction of the latest Gripen E variant, with the first units expected to be delivered this year.Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link
This push for the integration of electronic warfare (EW) capabilities is a natural progression of Saab’s broader modernization roadmap for the Gripen, including its AI-powered Project Beyond initiative. (Picture source: Swedish Air Force)
The modernization drive is motivated by NATO-wide demands to counter evolving battlefield threats, particularly the sophisticated electronic warfare tactics being deployed in Ukraine. Süsskind noted that while the United States has historically supported European allies in EW capabilities, there is now a pressing need for European nations to reinforce their independent capabilities. Sweden’s strategy includes investigating how to enhance the Gripen E with integrated EW technologies through collaboration with its national procurement agency FMV. Some of the 60 ordered Gripen E fighters could receive these new features post-delivery, or additional units may be procured with advanced EW configurations.
This push for EW integration is a natural progression of Saab’s broader modernization roadmap, including its groundbreaking Project Beyond initiative. Saab recently conducted a series of historic test flights between May 28 and June 3, 2025, where an operational Gripen E flew autonomously under the control of the Centaur artificial intelligence (AI) system, developed by the German tech firm Helsing. These flights, carried out in Swedish civilian airspace, marked the first known application of AI in live Beyond Visual Range (BVR) combat scenarios involving a frontline fighter jet. Saab reported that Centaur executed complex maneuvers, provided real-time firing cues, and demonstrated adaptive engagement strategies against a human-piloted Gripen D adversary.
The Gripen E’s avionics, with its modular and software-defined architecture, enabled seamless integration of Centaur AI directly into the operational flight system without disrupting safety-critical controls. Saab has highlighted this as a testament to Sweden’s strategic vision for air combat: to enable rapid iteration and evolution of fighter capabilities via software updates rather than hardware cycles. These enhancements place the Gripen E in a unique position among NATO platform, combining real-time AI decision support, EW resilience, and mission flexibility.
The modernization of the Gripen fleet is unfolding through a phased evolution that strategically balances upgrades to legacy aircraft with the induction of next-generation capabilities. Sweden is incrementally enhancing its Gripen C/D fighters with the MS20 Block 3 standard and preparing for Block 4, which includes integration of the PS-05/A Mk 4 radar, Taurus KEPD 350 cruise missile, and advanced avionics and EW systems. This ensures operational effectiveness well into the mid-2030s. Simultaneously, the Gripen E/F variants, designed with a modular software architecture, are being fielded to support agile capability development and full-spectrum mission execution by the decade’s end. This dual-track strategy extends the relevance of current platforms while laying the foundation for future airpower superiority.
Sweden’s renewed defense posture originates from a 2019 political directive to strengthen national military capabilities. Brig. Gen. Lars Helmrich of FMV highlighted a 350 percent surge in defense procurement since 2021 and a 50 percent increase in agency personnel. The country is now overhauling its entire aerial inventory, from training aircraft to strategic surveillance assets like the GlobalEye early warning platform, which will be delivered in accelerated stages. Helmrich also stressed the importance of future technologies such as hypersonic weapons, low-observability platforms, and artificial intelligence, underlining that while Sweden may not pursue hypersonics independently, NATO must collectively field and defend against such capabilities.
Maj. Gen. Jonas Wikman, Commander of the Swedish Air Force, emphasized the shift in operational philosophy since joining NATO. Where Sweden once trained for self-reliant defense scenarios, including dispersal tactics in forests, it now seeks to both share its experience and integrate lessons from alliance members. Wikman acknowledged the current operational tempo and transformation pressures, affirming that Sweden’s contribution to NATO will be matched by investments in advanced technologies and force readiness.
Together, the EW and AI upgrades not only transform the Gripen E into a potent multirole combat platform but also demonstrate Sweden’s intent to lead innovation within NATO’s air power ecosystem. With Saab’s evolving technology and FMV’s intensified defense investments, the Gripen stands at the forefront of Europe’s aerial modernization drive.
{loadposition bannertop}
{loadposition sidebarpub}
According to information released at the Paris Air Show at Le Bourget on June 16, 2025, the Swedish Air Force has confirmed an urgent initiative to modernize its frontline Saab JAS 39 Gripen fighter jets by incorporating advanced electronic warfare (EW) capabilities. Col. Frederik Süsskind, leading the Gripen’s development program, emphasized that the EW upgrade is critical amid Europe’s intensifying security environment and NATO’s emphasis on electronic spectrum dominance. This effort will align with the ongoing induction of the latest Gripen E variant, with the first units expected to be delivered this year.
Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link
This push for the integration of electronic warfare (EW) capabilities is a natural progression of Saab’s broader modernization roadmap for the Gripen, including its AI-powered Project Beyond initiative. (Picture source: Swedish Air Force)
The modernization drive is motivated by NATO-wide demands to counter evolving battlefield threats, particularly the sophisticated electronic warfare tactics being deployed in Ukraine. Süsskind noted that while the United States has historically supported European allies in EW capabilities, there is now a pressing need for European nations to reinforce their independent capabilities. Sweden’s strategy includes investigating how to enhance the Gripen E with integrated EW technologies through collaboration with its national procurement agency FMV. Some of the 60 ordered Gripen E fighters could receive these new features post-delivery, or additional units may be procured with advanced EW configurations.
This push for EW integration is a natural progression of Saab’s broader modernization roadmap, including its groundbreaking Project Beyond initiative. Saab recently conducted a series of historic test flights between May 28 and June 3, 2025, where an operational Gripen E flew autonomously under the control of the Centaur artificial intelligence (AI) system, developed by the German tech firm Helsing. These flights, carried out in Swedish civilian airspace, marked the first known application of AI in live Beyond Visual Range (BVR) combat scenarios involving a frontline fighter jet. Saab reported that Centaur executed complex maneuvers, provided real-time firing cues, and demonstrated adaptive engagement strategies against a human-piloted Gripen D adversary.
The Gripen E’s avionics, with its modular and software-defined architecture, enabled seamless integration of Centaur AI directly into the operational flight system without disrupting safety-critical controls. Saab has highlighted this as a testament to Sweden’s strategic vision for air combat: to enable rapid iteration and evolution of fighter capabilities via software updates rather than hardware cycles. These enhancements place the Gripen E in a unique position among NATO platform, combining real-time AI decision support, EW resilience, and mission flexibility.
The modernization of the Gripen fleet is unfolding through a phased evolution that strategically balances upgrades to legacy aircraft with the induction of next-generation capabilities. Sweden is incrementally enhancing its Gripen C/D fighters with the MS20 Block 3 standard and preparing for Block 4, which includes integration of the PS-05/A Mk 4 radar, Taurus KEPD 350 cruise missile, and advanced avionics and EW systems. This ensures operational effectiveness well into the mid-2030s. Simultaneously, the Gripen E/F variants, designed with a modular software architecture, are being fielded to support agile capability development and full-spectrum mission execution by the decade’s end. This dual-track strategy extends the relevance of current platforms while laying the foundation for future airpower superiority.
Sweden’s renewed defense posture originates from a 2019 political directive to strengthen national military capabilities. Brig. Gen. Lars Helmrich of FMV highlighted a 350 percent surge in defense procurement since 2021 and a 50 percent increase in agency personnel. The country is now overhauling its entire aerial inventory, from training aircraft to strategic surveillance assets like the GlobalEye early warning platform, which will be delivered in accelerated stages. Helmrich also stressed the importance of future technologies such as hypersonic weapons, low-observability platforms, and artificial intelligence, underlining that while Sweden may not pursue hypersonics independently, NATO must collectively field and defend against such capabilities.
Maj. Gen. Jonas Wikman, Commander of the Swedish Air Force, emphasized the shift in operational philosophy since joining NATO. Where Sweden once trained for self-reliant defense scenarios, including dispersal tactics in forests, it now seeks to both share its experience and integrate lessons from alliance members. Wikman acknowledged the current operational tempo and transformation pressures, affirming that Sweden’s contribution to NATO will be matched by investments in advanced technologies and force readiness.
Together, the EW and AI upgrades not only transform the Gripen E into a potent multirole combat platform but also demonstrate Sweden’s intent to lead innovation within NATO’s air power ecosystem. With Saab’s evolving technology and FMV’s intensified defense investments, the Gripen stands at the forefront of Europe’s aerial modernization drive.
