TROLLHÄTTAN, Sweden — March 24, 2026 : GKN Aerospace has delivered the first upgraded RM12 engine to the Swedish Armed Forces, marking the initial fielding milestone under the RM12 Enhanced Performance (RM12EP) programme aimed at modernizing propulsion systems for the Saab JAS 39 Gripen C/D fleet.
The delivery follows a contract awarded by Sweden’s Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) valued at approximately £32 million (SEK 400 million), covering performance upgrades across the existing inventory of RM12 engines powering Gripen C/D aircraft.
Programme Scope and Technical Upgrades
The RM12EP programme, launched in 2019, is designed to extend the operational lifespan and improve key performance parameters of the RM12 engine, which is derived from the General Electric F404 adapted for single-engine fighter use.
The upgrade package incorporates both hardware and software modifications. On the hardware side, the engines receive enhanced turbine components engineered to withstand higher thermal and operational loads while improving efficiency. Complementing this, updated engine control software has been integrated to optimize fuel flow and combustion performance.
According to GKN Aerospace, these combined changes result in increased thrust output, longer intervals between maintenance cycles, and reduced life-cycle costs. The improvements are intended to sustain the operational effectiveness and cost efficiency of the Gripen C/D fleet as it continues in service.
Industrial Execution and Manufacturing
All upgrade activities under the RM12EP programme are being conducted at GKN Aerospace’s facility in Trollhättan, Sweden. The company serves as the type certificate holder and original equipment manufacturer (OEM) for the RM12 engine, with full responsibility for development, manufacturing, system support, and maintenance.
GKN Aerospace also supports the RM16 engine used in the Gripen E/F variants, reinforcing its role across Sweden’s fighter propulsion ecosystem.
The production of the first upgraded engine involved coordinated efforts across engineering, manufacturing, quality assurance, procurement, and logistics teams within the company. The programme is being executed in collaboration with key industry partners, including GE Aerospace and Saab, as well as FMV.
A separate contract valued at approximately £2 million (SEK 23.6 million), awarded in 2023, supported the final development phase of the programme. This phase included ground-based testing at the Trollhättan facility and flight testing conducted in coordination with Saab and FMV.
Fleet Sustainment and Operational Context
The RM12EP initiative forms part of Sweden’s broader strategy to sustain the Gripen C/D fleet alongside the gradual introduction of the Gripen E/F. The C/D aircraft currently in service have accumulated between 11 and 23 years of operational use, depending on the platform.
The RM12 engine itself has logged more than 300,000 flight hours across the Gripen fleet without any engine-related accidents or serious incidents, according to programme data.
By enhancing performance and extending service intervals, the RM12EP upgrades are expected to support continued air defense readiness while managing long-term sustainment costs.
Statements and Future Deliveries
Stefan Oscarsson, Vice President of Governmental Solutions at GKN Aerospace, said the first upgraded engine delivery represents a step forward in improving the performance and endurance of the Gripen system. He noted the company’s longstanding partnership with the Swedish Air Force, which dates back nearly a century, and its continued role in supporting operational capability and future readiness.
Additional upgraded RM12 engines are scheduled for delivery to the Swedish Armed Forces on a rolling basis in line with the programme timeline. GKN Aerospace will retain responsibility for ongoing operation and maintenance support of the upgraded engines as part of its lifecycle management role for the RM12 platform.
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