Many players assume that Sweden received its most modern combat aircraft with the introduction of the Gripen E in the 2025 Update “Line of Contact”. While this assumption is understandable, the reality is somewhat more nuanced.
What is represented in-game?
The aircraft introduced in the update is indeed one of Sweden’s newest combat platforms. However, it does not represent the most recent stage in the Gripen’s ongoing development. Since the introduction of the Gripen E, the aircraft has continued to evolve through a series of upgrades and refinements, resulting in configurations that exceed the standard currently depicted in-game.
To understand why, it is important to examine how Saab develops new combat aircraft. Rather than entering service in a fully mature form, new aircraft variants are typically introduced through a gradual process involving prototypes, pre-production examples, and successive operational standards. Each stage incorporates lessons learned from testing, technological advances, and changing operational requirements.
Among the aircraft within this early production batch is the airframe designated “396002,” more commonly referred to as “6002.” This is the specific unit Gaijin selected for War Thunder - despite being a very early version. The designation itself follows Saab’s internal naming convention, where “39” refers to the Gripen platform (JAS 39), “6” denotes the E-variant configuration, and “002” identifies the individual production airframe.
As such, this aircraft corresponds to the second unit produced in the Gripen E line, placing it within a pre-series production stage rather than a fully standardized operational batch. In practical terms, this situates the aircraft closer to a pre-production or test evaluation platform, reflecting an early phase in the type’s development cycle.
Why it matters
First and foremost, it should be emphasized that the inclusion of this particular aircraft variant (‘6002’) is beneficial. Although it represents an earlier production standard, its presence in the game contributes to a broader and more diverse representation of Swedish aviation - depicting the evolutionary development of the Gripen family through additional variants in the future, such as the Gripen NG Demo, and the ones already in game. This is true as long as newer variants will get added.
By adding a later version, more correctly named JAS 39 Gripen E - Present Series or JAS 39 Gripen E - Serial Production Series, a more advanced airframe would also be presented in game.
History
After the Cold War, Sweden significantly reduced its armed forces, shrinking the Air Force in both size and aircraft variety. By the 2000s, the Gripen A/B and later C/D formed the backbone of the fleet, but they quickly showed limitations in long-term growth.
At the same time, rapid advances in sensors, electronic warfare, and missile systems, along with NATO’s shift toward network-centric warfare and renewed Russian modernization, created pressure for a new aircraft or a major upgrade.
Sweden ultimately chose to evolve the Gripen rather than replace it. FMV and the Armed Forces studied options and decided to extend the Gripen’s service life to at least 2040, mainly through upgrades and the development of a new variant: Gripen E.
In 2006, Saab launched the Gripen Demo programme, supported by the Swedish Parliament, using a heavily modified Gripen D (39-7) as a test platform for future technology. The aircraft first flew in 2008, testing a new engine, AESA radar, IRST, and extended range, and later demonstrated supercruise in 2009.
By 2012, the Swedish government officially confirmed that the demonstrator formed the basis for the next-generation Gripen E.
In 2017, the first Gripen E unit took flight (‘39-8’) - with the legendary test pilot Marcus Wandt behind the controls.
In 2021, Saab decided to have a new wing tested. Tests were successful.
In October 2023, pictures showing a new wing design started surfacing on the web showing that the previous Draken-like wing design had been replaced by a new Viggen-like wing design with new elevons. The new wing design was successfull - from now on, it shall be a standard feature of every Gripen E.
Fun facts:
-The test pilot Marcus Wandt later became an astronaut.
-The wing change has been called “Viggenification” online.
Differences
Apart from the visual change from a cropped delta to a trapezoidal wing structure, there are also performance differences which include:
- Increased max payload
- Increased max fuel capacity
- Increased lift
- Increased roll-rate
- Increased maneuverability
- Revamped FBW software
The optimal way of adding it in War Thunder
…would be to add it as a new platform once the next gen missiles arrive. This new version of the aircraft would not only act late in terms of design, but also in terms of armament.
Additionally, as many players are already aware, there is a surprisingly extensive list of reported inaccuracies, missing features, and implementation issues concerning the Gripen E currently present on the forums. In fact, the dedicated discussion thread has now surpassed 1200 replies, which is quite remarkable for a single aircraft. The sheer volume of discussion demonstrates not only the community’s interest in the aircraft, but also the number of areas where players believe the in-game representation falls short of the real aircraft’s capabilities.
Because of this, I believe there is a realistic possibility that Gaijin may choose to reserve a number of these corrections and improvements for a future variant rather than applying them directly to the existing Gripen E. If such a variant were introduced under a name such as “Gripen E Late”, it would provide a convenient opportunity to implement features that are currently absent. Examples include relatively straightforward corrections such as the addition of Laser Warning Receivers, improvements to sensor functionality, and even smaller visual details, such as correcting the colour and appearance of the plane itself. While these changes may seem minor individually, together they would significantly improve the aircraft’s authenticity and provide a stronger incentive for players to grind the new variant.
However, the discussion extends far beyond these comparatively simple additions. There are also several major capabilities currently missing from the Gripen E that could substantially affect its overall performance and effectiveness. The most obvious examples are its missing weapons, including the IRIS-T and Meteor missile families, alongside other modern munitions associated with the aircraft. That being said, these systems are unlikely to appear before War Thunder enters an era where next-generation missile technology becomes more widespread across multiple nations and aircraft - which is yet another reason as to why this updated aircraft platform would fit perfectly as a “next-gen missile carrier”.
Another often-overlooked capability concerns the Gripen E’s payload flexibility. The aircraft is advertised to utilise dual weapon racks, allowing multiple missiles to be mounted on a single pylon. This gives the Gripen E the theoretical ability to carry up to fourteen air-to-air missiles simultaneously. Yes, fourteen missiles on a Gripen. If Gaijin eventually decides to introduce this capability, I believe it is far more likely to appear on a future Gripen E Late rather than being retroactively added to the existing aircraft. Once again, this would provide a meaningful gameplay distinction between the two variants and justify the introduction of an additional vehicle.
Please note that the dual weapon racks have only been showed in official Saab advertisements - not in public, real life environments. Therefore - these are not a part of the suggestion.
There is also another reason why I believe a Gripen E Late is a genuine possibility. Recently, the United States have received a new variant of an aircraft that already exists in-game, primarily to facilitate the introduction of the AIM-120D. This establishes a precedent that Gaijin is willing to create additional variants for the purpose of introducing more advanced weaponry. A similar approach could easily be applied to the Gripen E. The real aircraft is capable of employing the AIM-120C-8, one of the AMRAAM variants used by Sweden, which shares many similarities with the AIM-120D. If War Thunder eventually introduces these more advanced missile variants as part of a broader next-generation missile update including the IRIS-T and Meteors etc, a Gripen E Late would be an ideal platform through which to implement them.
Taking all of these factors into account, from the large number of outstanding corrections and missing systems to the potential introduction of advanced weapons, expanded missile carriage options, and newer AMRAAM variants, I believe the possibility of a Gripen E Late is far from unrealistic. In fact, there are multiple gameplay, progression, and balancing reasons why such an aircraft could eventually find its place in the Swedish aviation tree.
An alternative implementation as a modification
There is, however, another possible way of introducing this aircraft without creating an entirely separate vehicle. Instead of appearing as a new platform, the upgraded configuration could theoretically be represented through a modification package for the existing Gripen E, with enlarged elevons serving as the visual and mechanical distinction between the two configurations.
Under this approach, unlocking the modification could grant access to various improvements currently absent from the aircraft, named earlier.
This solution would also avoid some of the drawbacks associated with adding an entirely separate vehicle. Players would not be required to grind a second Gripen E, while Gaijin would still retain a clear progression path within the aircraft itself.
While I personally consider a dedicated “Gripen E Late” to be the more likely option - thus this suggestion being about a whole new plane, rather than an upgrade, an elevon-based modification package would nevertheless offer a practical alternative. It would the currently missing features to be implemented in a coherent manner while remaining consistent with a known physical change to the aircraft itself.
Armament and Specifications
| JAS 39E | |
|---|---|
| Engine type: | RM 16 - TtWR ≈ 1:05-1:1 |
| Weight (Empty Weight): | 8000 Kilograms |
| Max Weight: | 17 000 - Kilograms (estimated) - 16 500 before upgrade |
| Length: | 15,2 meters |
| Width: | 8,6 meters |
| Height: | 4,5-4,7 meters |
| Crew: | 1 (pilot ) |
| Climb rate: | ~250 m/s |
| Max Speed: | 2 240 Km/h |
| Service ceiling (Max height): | 15 000 meters |
| Thrust (Dry): | 62 kN |
| Thrust (With Afterburner): | 98 kN |
| Max Range: | 4070+ km (ferry range) |
| Pylons/Hardpoints: | 10: (4 wing-mounted, 3 belly-mounted, 2 wing tips, 1 Pod mount (Capable of carrying a targeting pod (Litening)) |
| Armament (Offensive): | 27 mm Mauser BK |
| Possible Armament (Air to Air): | 6 × AIM-9s, ASRAAM, IRIS-T, Python, A-Darter |
| Possible BVR armament: | 7 × AMRAAM, Meteor, Derby, R-Darter (possibly more (13-14 missiles incl. wing tips) through twin-racks , but not a part of this suggestion.) |
| Armament (Air to Ground/surface etc): | 24 × 250 kg General purpose dumb bombs, Paveways, Lizards, Bombkapsel 90 Mjölner, Taurus, Spice, Brimstones, AGM 65/154, RBS-15 (multiple versions) |
| Countermeasures: | Maximum (+BOL): 720 × |
Paint job, Location and Naming
Since the aircraft in question is of a later model, it should also recieve a different livery, compared to the Gripen E already in game.
As for naming, this configuration does not have its own dedicated name. Thus, the Gripen in question could be called ‘JAS 39E (Late)’ or more realistically: ‘JAS 39E Present-series’. - while the most realistic way would be to have the current, in game Gripen E changed to JAS 39E early or Gripen 6002, or even JAS 39E Clipped / Cropped
It would be located in the Swedish tech tree, most likely below the previous Gripen E.
Would you like this in game?
- Yes!
- No.
How would you like this Gripen E to get added?
- As said in the text: new era missiles
- As a normal folder vehicle
- Doesn’t matter / no
- Other
- Modification
How do you THINK GAIJIN will add it, if?
- As said in the text: As a next-gen missile carrier
- As a folder vehicle
- Other / no
- Modification
Personal BUT IMPORTANT Reflection
While I think a modification would be nice, instead of a whole new plane, since even 6002 had its wings changed, it would not be the Gaijin way to do it.
Historically, Gaijin has generally preferred introducing new vehicle variants rather than substantially reworking existing ones whenever a meaningful gameplay distinction can be created. From a progression standpoint, a separate aircraft also provides a new vehicle to research, which naturally fits War Thunder’s long-term content model far better than a modification hidden behind an already unlocked aircraft.
Additionally, many of the features that could potentially accompany the enlarged elevons, such as missing systems, improved avionics, additional weapon options, and various corrections, would together create enough differences to justify a separate vehicle in Gaijin’s eyes - with the “Gripen E late”. Whether players agree with that approach or not is another important discussion entirely, but it is a pattern we have seen repeatedly across multiple nations and aircraft families.
Because of that, while an elevon modification would arguably be the cleaner solution, I find it far more likely, not necessarily better, but likely, that any future implementation would arrive in the form of a dedicated Gripen E Late rather than as an upgrade to the existing aircraft.
The important consensus is that the new control surfaces need to be added!
Sources
Gripen E-series | Saab
https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/engineering/elevons
https://aero.us.es/adesign/Slides/Extra/Stability/Design_Control_Surface/Chapter%2012.%20Desig%20of%20Control%20Surfaces%20(Aileron).pdf
Saabs hemliga ändring: Nya större vingar på Gripen E | Carup.se
https://www.corren.se/nyheter/linkoping/artikel/bildbeviset-har-avslojas-detaljerna-pa-nya-gripen-planet/jo2d3pql
Here’s Why Saab’s Gripen E Fighter’s Wing Suddenly Grew In Size
Please read the whole suggestion before starting a discussion - and thanks for reading! :)
