Saab JAS 39 Gripen

The Saab JAS 39 Gripen is a lightweight, single-engine multi-role fighter aircraft manufactured by the Swedish aerospace and defense company Saab AB. Originally designed to replace the Draken and Viggen aircraft in the Swedish Air Force, the Gripen was first flown in 1988 and entered service in 1996. It is known for its agility, advanced avionics, and its ability to operate from short, unconventional runways such as roadways.

Manufacturing of the Gripen is centered in Linköping, Sweden, at Saab's main aeronautics facility. However, global defense partnerships have led to international production ties. For instance, the Gripen E variant involves significant collaboration with Brazil, where Embraer has established a production line and flight test center to support the Brazilian Air Force's fleet. This makes the aircraft a product of both Swedish engineering and strategic international industrial cooperation.

Ownership of the brand and aircraft design remains with Saab AB. Headquartered in Stockholm, Saab AB is a publicly traded company on the Nasdaq Stockholm exchange. While the Wallenberg family (via Investor AB) is a major shareholder, the company operates as an independent Swedish defense entity. The Gripen stands as a symbol of Sweden's commitment to maintaining a domestic defense industry capable of producing world-class aerospace technology.