The Air Force was early convinced that the propeller fighters had reached the limit of their potential for further development. In 1944,  the Air Board asked three Swedish major industrial concerns for tenders regarding the development of jet engines. The Swedish term for ”jet engine” was at this time ”reaktionsmotor” or just ”rea”. The term is still used in the designations of engines in the Air Force. For example, the engine for JAS 39 Gripen, a Swedish development of the General Electric F404, has got the designation RM 12.

An intensive development work for a domestic Swedish jet engine industry began. In the spring of 1945, the turbine manufacturer STAL at Finspång, presented their own basic design. At the same time, Svenska Flygmotor AB (now Volvo Aero) had got an order for license production of de Havilland Goblin engines (RM 1) for the jet fighter J 28 (de Havilland Vampire) which was ordered by the Swedish Air Force in the end of 1945.

The Air Board decided to cancel the plans for a Swedish jet engine. Instead, English, and later American license designs were used, often further developed by the Swedish aircraft industry.

Below is a list of the jet fighter aircraft that have served in the Swedish Air Force. The designation ”J” = ”Jakt” stands for ”Fighter”.

Please click on the thumbnails for pictures and information

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