The Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) has awarded a contract to Saab for system maintenance and development studies regarding Gripen aircraft.

Under the Skr1.034bn ($165.3m) order, Saab will undertake continual maintenance and updates for the Gripen C/D in compliance with the Swedish Armed Forces’ long-term planning for the Gripen system.

The company will also implement further development and basic resources studies to perform renewed testing and verification of the system.

The order also includes technical support, product maintenance, flight testing and flight simulator operation to ensure the operational capability of the system.

The support activities will be carried out during 2011.