Sweden extends future fighter system studies with fresh Saab and GKN awards

Sweden’s Defence Materiel Administration (FMV), the national defence procurement agency, has awarded follow-on contracts worth a combined SKr3.3 billion (about $344 million) to Saab and GKN Aerospace to continue research into a future fighter system, known in Sweden as KFS.

The agreements, which run through 2028, extend work the two companies have carried out for Stockholm since 2024. Saab’s share of the new funding is roughly SKr2.9 billion, while propulsion specialist GKN Aerospace receives around SKr390 million.

From concept studies to flying demonstrators

According to the FMV, the programme spans concept studies, technology studies and technology development using ground-based demonstrators across several domains. It also includes two versions of flying demonstrators, which are to be completed and flown autonomously.

Carl-Fredrik Edstrom, who leads the FMV’s aerospace equipment business area, said the contracts are designed to build knowledge and reduce technical risk ahead of future decisions. Lars Tossman, head of Saab’s aeronautics business unit, described the work as central to developing and demonstrating technologies for the future system.

Saab highlighted national capability areas the programme supports, including systems integration, autonomy, signature adaptation, propulsion, digital development and future production. The award also carries options covering 2029 and 2030, potentially extending the effort further.

Broader context

The research push sits within a defined national timeline: Stockholm intends to decide on its next combat air system by 2030, with the resulting capability targeted to be operational after 2040. Last month, Saab said it plans to fly an unmanned, fighter-sized demonstrator in 2027 in support of the domestic programme. The company has also revealed an uncrewed companion-platform concept, designated A3, which it suggests could form part of a future combat air system and potentially be ready for use from the middle of the next decade.

The awards underscore Sweden’s step-by-step approach to developing a successor capability, using staged studies and demonstrators to inform an eventual procurement decision rather than committing to full development upfront.

Source: original release

What to watch

• Progress on the two autonomous flying demonstrators, with flights planned ahead of the 2030 decision point.
• Saab’s planned 2027 flight of its fighter-sized unmanned demonstrator.
• Whether Sweden exercises the 2029–2030 contract options included in the latest awards.
• Saab’s quarterly reporting for updates on aeronautics research and development activity tied to the KFS programme.