The Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) has signed new agreements with Saab and GKN Aerospace worth a combined approximately SEK 3.3 billion for continued development of Sweden’s future combat air capability. The work includes ground-based demonstrators and two versions of a flying demonstrator that will be completed and flown autonomously.

The new agreements run through 2028, ⁠FMV said. Saab’s contract is worth approximately SEK 2.9 billion, while GKN Aerospace’s is valued at approximately SEK 390 million. The work forms part of the Future Fighter System Concept programme, KFS, conducted by FMV, the Swedish Armed Forces and the Swedish Defence Research Agency (FOI) together with Saab and GKN.

The two flying demonstrators will be used to test intended characteristics at both subsonic and supersonic speeds, with the possibility of integrating technologies being developed under the programme for testing and validation. The agreements also cover concept and technology studies as well as technology development using ground-based demonstrators.

– We are now taking another step from concepts and studies towards developing, integrating and demonstrating technology in practice. Through these contracts, we can build knowledge and reduce technical risks ahead of future decisions on Sweden’s combat air capability, says Carl-Fredrik Edström, Head of the Aviation and Space Equipment Division at FMV.

⁠Saab says its work will also cover the development of future system concepts for crewed and uncrewed systems. The technology areas include systems integration, autonomy, signature management, propulsion and digital development. Saab’s agreement covers 2026-2028, with options for 2029 and 2030.

⁠GKN Aerospace will work on advanced cooling systems to manage heat from engines and other technical equipment, solutions for increased onboard electrical power, and technologies designed to make aircraft harder to detect. The company will also contribute analyses and evaluations of military propulsion systems.

NDS has followed Sweden’s work on its future combat air capability since ⁠FMV awarded the initial contracts to Saab and GKN Aerospace in 2024, covering concept studies, technology development and preparations for demonstrators. The programme was ⁠expanded in 2025, including further technology development and work on a flying demonstrator. In June 2026, the Swedish government also ⁠appointed a separate inquiry to assess three options for Sweden’s future combat aircraft: national development, international cooperation or procurement of a foreign system.

KFS forms part of the Vägval stridsflyg programme, which is intended to provide a basis for decisions on how Sweden will maintain its combat air capability beyond 2040. The new agreements build on development work with Saab and GKN that began in 2024 and continued during 2025.