Two new Gripen fighter jets of the Hungarian Air Force have arrived in Kecskemét, central Hungary, at the base of the Hungarian Defense Forces’ 101st Air Wing. With the addition of these JAS-39C fighter jets, the fleet’s total number of fighter aircraft has increased to 16.
Lieutenant General Gábor Böröndi, Chief of the Defense Staff, emphasized at the reception for the fighter jets—which also marked the 20th anniversary of the Gripens’ service in Hungary—that the Gripen is more than just an aircraft and more than just a piece of military equipment.
Photo: MTI/Ujvári Sándor
This day is not merely about the arrival of two new aircraft, but also marks another stage in a process, he emphasized, recalling that the first Gripens, which landed in Kecskemét in March 2006, entered service two years later, and since 2010, these aircraft have ensured the armed defense of Hungary’s and NATO’s airspace. “The Gripen is a capability that serves both national defense and alliance commitments,” he stated.
Security cannot stop at the country’s borders, which is why
Hungarian Gripens have defended and continue to defend not only Hungarian airspace but also that of Slovakia, Slovenia, and Croatia,
the colonel general said. He added that last year Hungary participated for the fourth time as a lead nation in the Baltic air policing mission.
He emphasized that Hungary remains committed in the long term to maintaining a modern, capable air force and to the NATO alliance, and that the Hungarian Defense Forces are capable of providing a high level of air defense for the country.
Photo: MTI/Ujvári Sándor
The JAS-39 Gripen is a multi-role fighter aircraft suitable for air combat, strike missions, and reconnaissance.
The EBS HU variant used by the Hungarian Defense Forces features capabilities compatible with NATO standards, such as aerial refueling and state-of-the-art communication systems.
The aircraft’s advanced onboard systems and data links make it highly effective, assisting the pilot in making rapid decisions.
Photo: MTI/Ujvári Sándor
The Gripen has a maximum speed of twice the speed of sound and a range of up to 3,000 kilometers. The aircraft, which is nearly 15 meters long, has a climb rate of 255 meters per second and, thanks to its high maneuverability, can be effectively deployed in a variety of missions.
At the start of the ceremony, four aircraft from the Gripen formation departed for the Tiger Meet 2026 NATO exercise in Greece, after which the two new fighter jets were welcomed with a water salute.
Via MTI, Featured image: MTI/Ujvári Sándor
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