Hungary Saab JAS 39 Gripen

hungarian air force gripen during inverted flight, 2007

as part of procurement arrangements, saab had offered offset deal valued @ 110 per cent of cost of 14 fighters. initially, hungary had planned lease several batch ii aircraft; however, inability conduct aerial refuelling , weapons compatibility limitations had generated hungarian misgivings. contract renegotiated , signed on 2 february 2003 total of 14 gripens, had been a/b standard , had undergone extensive upgrade process nato-compatible c/d export gripen standard. last aircraft deliveries took place in december 2007.

while hungarian air force operates total of 14 gripen aircraft under lease, in 2011, country reportedly intended purchase these aircraft outright. however, in january 2012, hungarian , swedish governments agreed extend lease period further ten years; according hungarian defence minister csaba hende, agreement represented considerable cost savings.

two gripens lost in crashes in may , june 2015, leaving 12 gripens in operation. hungary 14 gripen signing of replacement contract.