Two new Saab Gripen C fighters landed at Kecskemét Air Base in Hungary on 23 June 2026, marking the completion of the deliveries under a contract amendment signed between the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) and the Hungarian Ministry of Defence in February 2024 under which an additional four Gripen Cs were ordered for Hungary.

Prior to that the Hungarian Air Force operated a fast jet combat fleet consisting of leased Saab Gripens, comprising 12 JAS 39C single-seat fighters and two twin-seat JAS 39D conversion trainers. These aircraft, which entered service in 2006, are now owned by Hungary following the expiry of the lease deal earlier this year.

The Hungarian Air Force thus now operates an 18-strong Gripen force, consisting of 16 single-seat Gripen Cs and two twin-seat Gripen Ds.

In January 2022 Hungary reached a deal with the FMV to upgrade its Gripen C/Ds to the latest MS20 Block 2 standard, increasing the aircraft’s combat and communication capabilities and widening the range of weapons that can be integrated onto them.