Sweden's new Gripen E fighter jet enters service after long development

The roar of two Gripen E fighter jets departing from F 7 in Såtenäs, Sweden, marks a new era for the country's air force. These advanced aircraft, visually similar to the older Gripen C but vastly different inside, are now operational.

Pilot "Bubbles," one of the first to fly the Gripen E, described the internal upgrade as a "completely different plane." He highlighted the improved situational awareness, crucial for understanding the positions of all other aircraft, especially adversaries, in a busy airspace. "It's very important when there are many planes in the air and, above all, many opponents," he said.

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It's almost a shame they look so similar on the outside because it's a completely different plane on the inside.

The introduction of the Gripen E is the culmination of a long and delayed development process. The journey from the initial concept, spurred by a 2012 debate article calling for a new fighter jet, to the first delivery in October 2023, took over twelve years. This extended timeline saw earlier attempts to sell the Gripen concept to Norway and Switzerland fail.

Now, the handful of Gripen E jets delivered to F 7 are actively engaged in training. The 72nd division, led by pilot "Jinx," conducts three sorties daily with two aircraft each. This intensive training ensures pilots and maintenance crews are proficient with the new technology, preparing them for future operations.

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You get a much better sense of what's happening and where everyone else is. It's very important when there are many planes in the air and, above all, many opponents.