Saab Future Combat Aircraft: Sweden’s Next-Generation Fighter Program

Saab Future Fighter Aircraft Key Features, Technologies and Update

Last Updated: October, 2026

Sweden is taking steps to prepare for future air warfare through the development of a next-generation aircraft known as the 'F5', with Swedish aerospace manufacturer Saab playing a key role in the project. The Sweden initiative-step is aims to evaluate technologies capable of either succeeding or complementing the 'Gripen' aircraft series, as the demands of modern aerial warfare evolve and nations strive to develop next-generation fighter jets.

In September 2026, Sweden awarded a major contract to Saab for the development of future fighter aircraft technology—a significant milestone in the nation's plan to acquire next-generation air power. As the program is currently in the development and technology research phase, specific details regarding the aircraft's features, design, engine, performance, and weaponry have not yet been disclosed, or perhaps have not yet been finalized.

Nevertheless, the ongoing work offers insight into the strategy Sweden and Saab are pursuing regarding the future of combat aviation—specifically through a combination of advanced manned aircraft, unmanned systems, networking capabilities, autonomy, and combat technologies.

So, in this article, we will discuss in detail , latest updates, key features, development progress, and expected specifications of the future combat-aircraft program involving Sweden and Saab.

Saab Future Fighter Program: What Is Sweden Developing?

Sweden’s future fighter program is focused on developing and exploring technologies for the next generation of combat aircraft, In which, Saab (The Swedish Aeroplan Corporation ) is playing a central role in this effort, with the work looking beyond the current Gripen fighter family toward new manned and unmanned combat-aircraft capabilities. Rather than being a fully defined production aircraft at this stage, the program is focused on researching and demonstrating technologies that could shape Sweden’s future air-power requirements.  

The development approach for this next-generation program encompasses advanced aircraft technologies, unmanned combat systems, secure networking, and autonomous capabilities, alongside enhanced coordination between manned and unmanned platforms.

Sweden’s objective in developing these technologies is to support future combat operations, enabling next-generation aircraft to address air threats or execute missions as part of a broader network rather than operating as isolated, independent platforms. 

Additionally, Sweden is examining how emerging technologies can improve situational awareness, survivability, flexibility, and combat effectiveness within increasingly complex aerial environments.

Since the contract for this program has been awarded to the Swedish company SAAB—officially known as Svenska Aeroplan Aktiebolaget(Swedish Aeroplane Corporation)—it is worth noting that the company possesses extensive experience in aircraft manufacturing.

Established in 1937, the company later expanded into the automotive sector but currently operates in the fields of defense and aerospace technology. Till date, the company has manufactured approximately 2,600 jet aircraft, ranging from fighter jets to trainers; the names and production figures of these aircraft are listed in the table below.

• Saab 21R (Jet fighter conversion): 64 built
• Saab 29 Tunnan (Fighter): 661 built
• Saab 32 Lansen (Attack): 450 built
• Saab 35 Draken (Fighter): 644 built
• Saab 37 Viggen (Fighter/Attack): 329 built
• Saab JAS 39 Gripen (Multirole fighter): ~306+ built (ongoing production)
• Saab 105 (Jet trainer): 192 built

Regarding SAAB's recent F5 initiative, at this stage, the project should be viewed as a technology development and exploratory effort rather than a finalized aircraft program. Since full details concerning the final configuration, engine, specifications, weaponry, and operational capabilities have not yet been disclosed, the available information regarding the program's specifications is as follows.

Specification	Current Status / Known Details
Program Name	Saab Future Fighter System
Country	Sweden
Main Company	Saab
Program Type	Future combat-aircraft technology development
Aircraft Approach	Manned + Unmanned Systems
Development Stage	Concept, technology development & demonstration
Current Contract	SEK 2.9 billion
Contract Period	2026–2028
Possible Extension	2029–2030
Demonstrators	Flying + ground-based demonstrators
Key Technologies	Autonomy, systems integration, digital development
Signature Technology	Signature adaptation / low observability research
Propulsion	Under development / not disclosed
Engine	Not disclosed
Maximum Speed	Not disclosed
Range	Not disclosed
Weapons	Not disclosed
Radar & Sensors	Not disclosed
Final Design	Not finalized
Operational Entry	Not announced

September 2026 Update-Saab–FMV Contract

On August 22, 2026, Saab publicly showcased a full-scale uncrewed combat-aircraft concept, the 

A3-001, at Sweden's Malmen Air Base. According to Saab, this is a concept for a potential future combat-air capability designed to operate alongside future crewed aircraft. Saab has stated that the company plans to fly uncrewed demonstrators featuring fighter-like characteristics before 2030.

Source : Saab Official Website

In a recent announcement made By (SAAB) on September 9, 2026, In that announcement Saab revealed a new contract with the Swedish Defense Materiel Administration (FMV) to further develop a future fighter system. 

This agreement marks a significant milestone in Sweden's efforts to build future air combat capabilities; its objective is not to initiate the formal production of a new fighter aircraft, but rather to focus on the development and testing of future fighter technologies, concepts, and demonstrators.

According to Sweden (SAAB) The Swedish Aeroplan Corporation, the stated value of this new agreement is approximately SEK 2.9 billion (equivalent to roughly USD 299,313,350.00), with a current contract period spanning from 2026 to 2028. Additionally, the program includes options for further work in 2029 and 2030.

Furthermore, the program will involve the development of various technologies and operational concepts for future air-combat systems, encompassing both manned and unmanned systems.

In fact, this current 2026 contract is a continuation of the future-fighter studies under the existing Saab-FMV agreement. It is worth noting that this is not their first contract; Saab and FMV have previously collaborated on future combat-air capabilities, associated technologies, development, and demonstrators. Therefore, rather than marking the start of an entirely new program, this announcement represents the next phase of the ongoing future-fighter development effort.

The most significant aspect of this contract is that Saab has not officially finalized the design of a production-ready fighter jet for the period leading up to September 2026. The current program focuses on technology development, testing, demonstrators, and concepts for future combat systems. According to Saab, key areas of this work include system integration, autonomy, signature adaptation, propulsion, and digital development.

This implies that, as of 2026, Sweden's future fighter program remains in the development and technology-demonstration phase. In the coming years, further decisions regarding the actual configuration of the future Swedish air-combat system can be made based on the results yielded by these technologies and demonstrators.

Limitations of Demonstrator Testing:

Although, the flying and ground-based demonstrators can help the engineers to evaluate new technologies, their results do not automatically establish how a future combat aircraft would perform in operational conditions. 

A system that works during a controlled test may face different challenges when exposed to electronic interference, changing weather, complex mission requirements or coordination with other aircraft. 
Engineers must also assess reliability, maintenance requirements and how different systems perform when integrated together. 

For Sweden’s future combat-aircraft programme, demonstrator testing can help identify technical limitations and guide further development, but it cannot by itself confirm the final aircraft’s combat effectiveness or readiness for operational service.

Furthermore, The next major milestones for Sweden’s future combat-aircraft programme will depend on the technologies validated through ongoing research and demonstrator testing, as well as future decisions by Saab and the Swedish Defense Materiel Administration (FMV). Until a production configuration is formally established, the program's eventual design and operational capabilities remain uncertain.

That’s all for this article; keep visiting NextGenDefence for further updates.

Last Updated: October, 2026

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