1982

After an evaluation process, Parliament decided in June 1982 to go ahead with the Swedish project and the Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) signed a contract for development of the JAS 39 Gripen by an industry group led by Saab. The contract included orders for five prototypes and 30 production aircraft, with an option on a further 110 aircraft.

Gripen is the first fighter in the world to break the cost spiral, being less expensive and lighter than its predecessor yet still able to carry the same payload and having better performance.