Sweden pushes ahead with future combat air system, Saab receives study contract

Sweden has taken a significant step toward developing a next-generation air combat capability, awarding defence contractor Saab a new contract worth approximately $276 million for continued conceptual studies into future fighter systems.

The contract, issued by the Swedish Defense Materiel Administration (FMV), covers the period from 2025 to 2027, and includes research into both crewed and uncrewed platforms as part of a broader "system of systems" approach. 

According to The War Zone (TWZ), the studies will be conducted in cooperation with the Swedish Armed Forces, the Swedish Defense Research Agency, GKN Aerospace, and additional unnamed industrial partners. The award builds upon a previous contract from March 2024, marking continued investment in maintaining Sweden’s domestic combat aviation capabilities beyond the current Gripen E fighter.

Saab refers to its next-generation effort as the Future Combat Air System (FCAS)—a name also used by British and pan-European sixth-generation fighter programs. While separate, Saab was previously involved in the UK’s FCAS before stepping back. All of these programs generally envision a crewed fighter supported by drones, but Sweden’s version appears to give greater prominence to uncrewed combat air vehicles (UCAVs) and Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCAs), suggesting a potentially more drone-centric future than its European counterparts.

“This order sets the next step on our joint journey in delivering innovative solutions to meet future operational needs of the Swedish Armed Forces and other customers,” said Lars Tossman, head of Saab’s Aeronautics division. His statement highlights that exports remain a key goal, with global demand for UCAVs and CCAs growing among modern air forces.

Among the concepts Saab is exploring are a new-generation crewed fighter, stealthy loyal wingman drones, attritable subsonic drones, and supersonic UCAVs. Notably, Saab’s FCAS-related F-series includes platforms ranging from lightweight drones under 1 ton to heavy uncrewed systems over 5 tons. The Gripen E—currently in production for Sweden, Brazil, and recently selected by Colombia and Thailand—is also part of this evolving ecosystem.

An unusual feature of Saab’s approach is the shared use of components across both crewed and uncrewed platforms, including between the Gripen E and conceptual stealth drones. This commonality could reduce development costs, simplify logistics, and speed up deployment timelines.

Saab brings a notable legacy in advanced drone development, including past projects such as the SHARC (Swedish Highly Advanced Research Configuration) and FILUR demonstrators, as well as its participation in the French-led nEUROn UCAV initiative. More recently, Saab unveiled a stealthy supersonic drone concept and continues to investigate drone roles ranging from high-end combat to expendable decoys designed to absorb enemy fire.

Importantly, the program leaves open the possibility that Sweden might skip a new crewed fighter altogether, instead fielding a combat air ecosystem composed solely of drones. Alternatively, a hybrid force could emerge—pairing the current Gripen E with stealthy uncrewed assets, providing a cost-effective and flexible capability that enhances survivability without requiring a leap to sixth-generation crewed fighters.

While Saab’s FCAS timeline is more conservative than those of the British or European FCAS efforts, Sweden’s “wait and see” approach may prove more sustainable, especially given the high costs and risks associated with developing sixth-generation fighters from scratch.

Still, Sweden could yet opt into a foreign fighter program in the future. Such a move would likely mark the end of Sweden’s long-standing tradition of domestic fighter development, dating back to the J 29 Tunnan in the 1950s.

For now, the latest contract ensures that conceptual and technology development will continue, as Sweden refines its vision for what could replace the Gripen around 2050. Whether that future includes a manned fighter, a family of drones, or a combination of both remains to be seen.

By Sabina Mammadli