Sweden Eyes Expedited Gripen Fighter Turnaround Times

Amid a backdrop of increasing Russian aggression, the Swedish air force is preparing to further refine its dispersed operations: eyeing an expedited turnaround of its Saab JAS 39 Gripen fighters. This enhanced off-base expertise comes as NATO’s newest member continues to contribute its unique skill sets to the organisation, including prioritizing offensive capabilities.

Speaking at a press briefing in July, air force chief Major General Jonas Wikman explained that Sweden is “now going towards a lighter footprint on dispersed operations in order to keep an even higher pace.” Sweden has long valued its fighters’ ability to operate from austere locations as part of an Agile Combat Employment (ACE) concept, and it is now looking to reduce this turnaround time from 15 minutes to below 10. 

While a crew of one officer and five conscripts can already perform ‘hot refuelling’ (where the aircraft is fuelled with its engine running), the air force is now developing methods for ‘hot rearming’. Alongside provision for existing air-to-air armament, this could include the upcoming Taurus long-range air-launched cruise missile. Sweden had previously anticipated initial operating capability in 2028, but an expedited integration process “means it will be present soon,” confirmed Wikman. 

Upcoming equipment will also offer a smaller footprint for crews working on the aircraft. “People are saying that we are the best in the world at [ACE], but I don’t want to compare to anyone,” suggested Wikman. Nevertheless, he explained that Sweden’s membership of NATO in March 2023 “was really an enabler for what [the SwAF] is trying to achieve.” 

Over the last 18 months, the SwAF has participated in three NATO operations, including two air policing deployments. “Now, as a NATO member … we have the possibility to add the offensive part of defense,” he stated. A defense capability is not a complete capability unless you have [both]… and that is now one of our highest priorities.” 

Aircraft Incoming 

Sweden is also to place an additional order for a dozen more Gripen E warplanes, offsetting its planned donation of 16 C/D airframes to Ukraine. “We have also got the task to make an investment on 12 Echo versions,” confirmed Wikman. “That is quite a good conversion rate for me, so I’m happy about that.” Although he acknowledged the Ukranian donation could “be a strain,” he maintained the capability was imperative not just for Ukraine but for the defense of Sweden, concluding: “I don’t see a [domestic] negative capability effect.” 

Since late 2025, the SwAF has been integrating the incoming Gripen E variant into Swedish service, with the first units delivered to the F7 Wing. Wikman cited this process as “going very successfully,” with the new aircraft offering a higher availability than the existing C/D models. 

Sweden expects to operate both simultaneously “for a very long time,” ultimately integrating 60 Es with around 60 of its existing 100 C/Ds. However, right now, “the number of airframes… is not the limiting factor,” suggested Wikman, who instead cited bottlenecks in personnel and equipment. 

In particular, Sweden is looking to continue developing the Gripen E’s sensor suite and electronic warfare capabilities, two areas Wikman confirmed as “the two main areas we are looking forward to.” The aircraft’s sensor fusion capabilities will complement Sweden’s three upcoming GlobalEye airborne early warning and control aircraft, planned to arrive from next year. 

Combined with the incoming C-390s tactical transports and growing sovereign space-based capabilities, “while it’s quite straining to introduce almost all [the] new platforms at the same time, it’s a perfect time to do it,” concluded Wikman. “The whole attitude and atmosphere in the armed forces and the air force is that it’s time to prepare.”