Saab contracted by FMV for Gripen upgrade

STOCKHOLM, Sweden, Oct. 18 (UPI) -- The Swedish Defense Material Administration, the FMV, announced it has contracted Saab to upgrade 31 Swedish Gripen aircraft to current standards.

Based on a proposal by the supreme commander of the Swedish armed forces, Saab was contracted to upgrade 31 of Sweden's Gripen aircraft for approximately $607 million. Officials say the FMV contract will upgrade the Gripen aircrafts from the A/B standard to the latest C/D version. As a result, the Swedish air force will have a uniform Gripen fleet.

The contract also covers a demonstrator program for Gripen’s future development.

“The order is a clear sign that Sweden believes in Gripen’s future,” said Saab’s Chief Executive Officer Ake Svensson, in a statement. “The upgrade ensures the Gripen production, and the demonstrator program gives us the opportunity to prove Gripen’s strong development capabilities.”

Officials say the upgrade is expected to begin later this year.

“It is gratifying that such important players share our conviction about Gripen’s capabilities and future potential,” said Svensson.