In the early 1950s, the Swedish Air Force saw the need for an interceptor that could reach enemy bombers at a higher altitude than the J 29 Tunnan that formed the backbone of the fighter force.
Først i 1950-erne, fandt Flygvapnet at der var behov for en interceptor der kunne nå fjendtlige bombere i større flyvehøjder end J 29 Tunnan, der dengang udgjorde rygraden i det svenske jagerforsvar.