Saab has unveiled a new variant of Gripen, called Gripen Aggressor, at DSEI 2017, London, UK. Gripen Aggressor is based on the Gripen C-series and is aimed at the adversary air combat training market.

The company has identified a growing segment within the adversary air combat training market for highly advanced aggressor capabilities to be able to perform realistic combat training. Saab says the Gripen Aggressor offers a unique mix of high performance, mission flexibility and availability, combined with a low life cycle cost.

Gripen Aggressor has been customised for the aggressor role. It offers the handling and flight characteristics associated with the Gripen C and its advanced sensor and datalink capabilities, but will not carry live armament.

Saab sees potential for the platform as a high-level aggressor option within both the United States Air Force’s Adversary Air (ADAIR) and UK MOD’s Air Support to Defence Operational Training (ASDOT) requirements, and wherever users look to prepare pilots for the challenges of sophisticated modern air combat.