Saab JAS-39C Gripen (39268 / 268) from the Swedish Air Force at the RIAT 2019, RAF Fairford (United Kingdom)
The JAS-39 Gripen multi-role fighter is the latest in a long line of outstanding jet combat aircraft produced by Swedish manufacturer Saab.
However, it differs from its stablemates in having achieved a good deal of international sales success. The Gripen prototype first flew towards the end of 1988 and Sweden bought an initial 204 examples of the early 'A' and 'B' model aircraft. The 2019 Gripen display is flown by this 'C' model, which features a number of armament and avionics upgrades. At the RIAT 2019 static line up there is the two-seat 'D' model which can be utilised for type conversion and weapons training, alongside operational missions.
The Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT) is the world's largest military air show, held annually over the third weekend in July,
usually at RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire, England in support of The Royal Air Force Charitable Trust.
The show typically attracts a total of 150.000 to 160.000 spectators over the weekend.