The Saab JAS 39 Gripen (English: Griffin) is a lightweight fighter aircraft manufactured by the Swedish aerospace company Saab (not to be confused with the car maker of the same name, which is another branch of the Saab company). Gripen International acts as a prime contracting organization and is responsible for marketing, selling and supporting the Gripen fighter around the world. The aircraft is in service with the Swedish Air Force, the Czech Air Force, the Hungarian Air Force and the South African Air Force, and has been ordered by the Royal Thai Air Force. A total of 236 Gripens have been ordered as of 2008.-wikipedia.org