Hungary has officially received the first two JAS 39 Gripen C supersonic combat aircraft from Saab under a 2024 agreement aimed at strengthening national and NATO air policing capabilities. The aircraft will be stationed at Kecskemét Air Base and will expand Hungary’s existing Gripen fleet to support rapid response missions against regional airspace violations. Operated by the 101st Aviation Wing, the Gripen fleet plays a key role in NATO’s Baltic Air Policing mission. The JAS 39 Gripen is a lightweight multi-role fighter equipped with advanced electronic warfare systems, capable of Mach 2 speeds and long-range operations. Armed with IRIS-T, AIM-120, Meteor missiles, anti-ship weapons, and precision-guided bombs, the aircraft provides strong air superiority and strike capabilities while maintaining low operational costs and high mission flexibility.
