Hungary and Sweden have successfully negotiated the MS20 Block 2 capability upgrade for Hungary's fleet of Gripen fighter aircraft.

The MS20 Block 2 upgrade, which was negotiated between the Hungarian government's Commissioner Office and the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV), will increase the Gripen’s combat and communication capabilities, and give Hungary access to a wide range of weapons to be integrated on the Hungarian Air Force's (HunAF) Gripen fighters.

Sensor capability is being enhanced by a radar upgrade to the PS-05/A Mk 4 multi-function radar system, which will mean that the air-to-air target tracking range as well as the performance increases significantly. 

Saab says this allows better detection capability of small air-to-air targets, improved clutter suppression, and adds growth potential for further developments in the air-to air and air-to-ground modes.

The MS20 Block 2 upgrade will also enhance Link16 (NATO Data link) functionality and updated voice communication to the latest NATO secure communication standard. Capability to identify coalition aircrafts will be also improved by introducing the latest Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) NATO Mode 5.

This will allow Hungary to choose from a wider selection of weapons to fit to its Gripens: IRIS-T - infrared Within Visual Range (WVR) Air to Air missile, GBU-49 - modern Air to Ground laser-guided bomb and Meteor – an advanced, long-range, radar-guided, BVRAAM that is superior to other missiles of its type.

“Thanks to the modernisation of the Hungarian Gripen aircraft, the operational capabilities of the Hungarian Air Force will be significantly increased,” said Maj. Gen. Nandor Kilian,  Air Force Inspector for the Hungarian Defence Force.”

Gen. Kilian said during the 15 years that it had operated the Gripen aircraft from the Hungarian Air Force's Kecskemét Air Base, it had taken steps to be one of the premier air forces in Europe and a real contributor to NATO and EU operations. The Gripen are used to protect both Hungarian and Slovenian air space, as well as NATO operations.

“With these changes introduced by the MS20 Block 2 upgrade, Hungary will get an even more efficient and powerful aircraft, capable of competing in every respect with any other next generation fighter aircraft,” says Jonas Hjelm, head of Aeronautics at Saab.

Gripen C/D fighters are currently in-service with two NATO-members nations, the Czech Republic and Hungary, as well as South Africa and Thailand.

Meanwhile, Saab has signed a framework agreement with the Lithuanian Ministry of Defence for the Carl-Gustaf® M4 weapon and ammunition. A first order for ammunition worth approximately SEK 150 million (€14 million) was placed by the Lithuanian Defence Materiel Agency in connection with the signing of the framework agreement.