Since 1997, Gripen is in service with the Swedish Air Force, with 204 aircraft on order. In addition, Gripen has also been selected by the South African Air Force (28 aircraft), the Hungarian Air Force (14 aircraft) and the Czech Air Force (14 aircraft).

Gripen is also being considered by a number of other countries, both NATO and others worldwide, to meet their 21st century defense needs. Gripen International is confident that Gripen offers exceptional value for money, and the most cost-effective solution.

Designed from initial conception as a totally integrated weapons system, Gripen provides an affordable, world-beating multi-role/swing-role capability to defeat all known and perceived threats for at least the next 30 years.

With the ability to change operational roles automatically during flight via the selection of the weapon on the HOTAS (“Hands On Throttle And Stick") or at the touch of one MFD (“Multi Functional Display") button, Gripen can meet the increasingly the demanding requirements of supersonic Beyond Visual Range (BVR) air defense and air superiority missions plus within visual range combat. It also provides class-leading offensive air support, anti-ship and reconnaissance capabilities. Fully integrated digital systems give Gripen the power to use its strength and the intelligence to use its muscles to maximum effect.

The latest generation combat aircraft design incorporates wide use of composites and other new materials, advanced production technology, integrated computer systems, data fusion and the latest aerodynamics. The result is a combat aircraft with high levels of effectiveness in a wide range of roles, low acquisition costs, low support requirements and low operating and through-life costs.

Outstanding operational capability and effectiveness
As a highly agile and supersonic combat aircraft, embodying state-of-the art sensors, data link, sensor fusion and mission computation, Gripen is difficult to match in any air combat situation. In a perfect blend of simplicity and sophistication, it balances pure aircraft performance with data link, data fusion and an advanced human-machine interface to give the pilot outstanding situational awareness.

Even with the dramatic increase in capabilities of modern weapon systems, operational experience and studies undertaken by the RAF, USAF and Swedish Air Force, among others, confirm that situational awareness is the single most important factor affecting the outcome of air combat engagements.

Gripen is designed for dispersed operations from small bases, or partially damaged runways, with minimal infrastructure and ground support equipment such as road strips. It is ideally suited to operations from forward operating bases and has the flexibility to support both Combat Air Patrols (CAP) and quick reaction alert (QRA) missions, which rely heavily on information superiority and outstanding situational awareness for success.

It is possible for a Gripen squadron, during a QRA mission, to be informed of the real-time combat situation via the data link system, while its aircraft are on the ground. Upon receipt of a 'scramble' signal, Gripen can be airborne in approximately one minute and with a clear picture of the combat scenario already provided via data link, pilots can immediately maneuver to the most advantageous position.

Excellent combat advantage
Superior air-to-air combat capability at Beyond Visual Range (BVR) is achieved through a combination of aircraft performance, high-performance radar and the world's most advanced in-service data link. When combined with its own low radar signature, this gives Gripen an excellent combat advantage over its competitors.

At a glance, a Gripen pilot can see not only his own target, but also those of his wingmen and others detected by Airborne Early Warning (AEW) aircraft. The pilot can instantly recognize which targets have been acquired by other members of his unit as well as general awareness on the general battle scenario, 'freeing up' valuable time to select and execute the optimum tactics for success.

During an intercept, Gripen can engage multiple targets simultaneously with its BVR guided missiles. Its jam-resistant data link provides unique targeting capabilities and allows pilots to communicate real-time information with other elements of the defense network, including AEW aircraft and ground control centers, while remaining undetected by the enemy.

At closer ranges, Gripen's combat superiority is assured by a combination of its delta-canard configuration and relaxed stability, which give excellent agility and high instantaneous turn rates during combat maneuvers. The low visual and infra-red signatures make Gripen difficult to detect and lock onto.

In addition to the radar's close combat modes, a Helmet Mounted Display (HMD) can be used by Gripen pilots to cue the seekers of the latest agile short-range air-to-air missiles.

In air-to-surface operations, which require the aircraft to cope with a wide range of different targets for different roles, Gripen is equally effective. The latest combat experiences have illustrated the importance of stand-off and precision strike capabilities to enable the pilots to complete their missions safely, accurately and effectively.

Cleared to carry a number of advanced air-to-surface weapons, Gripen's weapon system includes the integration of smart weapons such as Laser-Guided Bombs (LGB) and the associated Forward Looking Infra-Red/Laser Designator Pod (FLIR/LDP) targeting equipment as well as stand-off weapons and intelligent anti-ship missiles.