Saab has opened its new Aviation Development Centre in Budapest to strengthen research and development (R&D) cooperation with Hungary by involving Hungarian expertise in the continuous development of Gripen aircraft.
The development centre symbolizes Saab’s long-term commitment to developing modern technical capabilities in Hungary. The Hungarian engineers and experts working in the centre directly contribute to the development of technologies in support of the Gripen system and become part of Saab’s wider international development environment.
“Modern fighter aircraft increasingly depend on the capability of rapidly introducing software and new technologies. With this Aviation Development Centre, we are bringing the Hungarian engineers’ expertise directly into the Gripen development environment. Hungary will benefit from the continuous development of Gripen aircraft and will also take part in their creation” – said Johan Segertoft, Vice President, Head of Business Unit Gripen at Saab.
“Our close cooperation dates back 25 years. The Budapest Aviation Development Centre of Saab is going to become an important pillar of our close cooperation and joint capability development, further strengthening research and development in Hungary. The establishment of the Aviation Development Centre heralds a new era for Hungarian aircraft industry” – said MoD Parliamentary State Secretary Antal László Kürtös.
The initial activities of the Aviation Development Centre will include Extended Reality (XR)-based solutions in support of training, operational availability, software development and safe technical data management. By harnessing Hungarian expertise, Saab promotes the development of digital solutions as well as the fields of XR and virtual reality (VR) through the transfer of technological know-how.
Saab Hungary continues to support closer cooperation with Hungarian industry, scientific life and defence innovation partners, further developing technological know-how and sovereign capabilities in Hungary.
Hungary has been operating Gripen fighter aircraft since 2006. In June 2026, Saab completed the delivery of another four Gripen C fighter jets within the framework of a contract amendment between the Hungarian Defence Forces and the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV).
