The Czech Republic is extending the service of leased JAS39 C/D Gripen fighter jets in 12 years, maintaining the fleet of 14 Gripens through 2027. Swedish Defence and security company Saab announced this week it has received an order from the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) for the extended lease. The order is valued at approx. US$76.5 million (SEK 576 million).
Gripen has been in service with the Czech Republic since 2005. The two governments have reached an agreement on this extension in May 2014.
The new agreement includes some hardware modification to be implemented within the next year, and software updates to begin immediately. The system upgrades are designed to increase the aircraft capabilities develop and adapt new mission software to meet Czech requirements.
