SAAB: New Aeronautics Development Hub in Hungary

The SAAB Group, manufacturer of Gripen fighter jets, is to establish an aeronautical development center in Hungary, which will provide a major opportunity for Hungarian engineers to take part in the high-tech industry of fighter aircraft production, according to Hungarian Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Péter Szijjártó.

A statement issued by the ministry says the minister stressed in Linköping, Sweden on Wednesday that Hungary and the SAAB group have a history of more than 20 years of cooperation on the Gripen fighter aircraft, which guarantee Hungary's security in the air. The Hungarian Air Force currently has fourteen Gripen aircraft, but next year four more will be added to the fleet.

In addition to neighboring Slovakia, Slovenia and Croatia, Hungarian Gripen aircraft are regularly involved in the protection of the Baltic airspace, for example, Hungarian pilots will be deployed in the region for four months from August this year.

At the same time, the minister underlined that cooperation with the SAAB group is not limited to this area, as an agreement has been reached with the company to establish an aeronautical development center in Hungary. It is a large engineering center where important development work will be carried out for the aircraft manufacturer.

The minister was of then view that this will provide a major opportunity for Hungarian engineers to play a role in this high-tech industry.