VIENNA — Saab Secures Major Contract for Future Swedish Fighter System Development
On Wednesday, Saab announced it has been awarded a substantial contract by Sweden’s Defense Materiel Administration (FMV). Valued at approximately SEK 2.9 billion (about $303 million), the contract is for continuing the conceptual development of Sweden’s next-generation fighter system.
The duration of the contract spans from 2026 to 2028, with potential extensions into 2029 and 2030. This agreement builds upon previous contracts signed in 2024 and 2025 with FMV.
Scope of the Contract
Under this new contract, Saab will focus on various key areas including the creation of flying and ground-based demonstrators, conducting advanced studies, and developing future system concepts for both manned and unmanned aircraft. The aim of these efforts is to enhance Sweden’s expertise in systems integration, autonomy, signature adaptation, propulsion technologies, and digital advancements. Additionally, the initiative seeks to mitigate technical risks and maintain strategic autonomy in making future decisions regarding the nation’s air combat capabilities.
Lars Tossman, who leads Saab’s Aeronautics division, emphasized the importance of FMV’s ongoing trust in Saab. He stated that this trust is “crucial to further develop and demonstrate new technologies that will be central to the future fighter system.”
Relation to Previous Contracts and Future Plans
This contract marks the third installment in a series of awards linked to Sweden’s Koncept för Framtida Stridsflyg (KFS) program, also known as Vägval stridsflyg. This strategic program is designed to define the trajectory of Sweden’s air power beyond 2040. The initial contract was executed in March 2024, followed by a SEK 2.6 billion extension in October 2025 which spanned from 2025 to 2027. The earlier phase of the project included the development of a flying demonstrator, with concept and technology advancements scheduled to conclude by the third quarter of 2026, and initial flight testing anticipated in 2027.
Previously, Saab has introduced a variety of concepts under its F-series branding. These concepts include a manned fighter and multiple unmanned platforms, which vary in speed from subsonic to supersonic, and differ in weight classes and designs.
The KFS initiative was launched following Sweden’s exit from the British-led Team Tempest project, which later evolved into GCAP, in 2023. Sweden chose to pursue its own path in developing domestic air combat technologies.
As Sweden’s sole manufacturer of fighter jets, Saab plays a pivotal role in the country’s defense sector. Its aircraft, including the currently prominent Saab Gripen, have been integral to the Swedish Air Force for many years.
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Jamal Peterson reports on defense, aerospace, and tech policy. With a military background and a strategic mind, he dissects complex subjects with clarity, offering readers sharp, reliable insights.
