Sweden has always been aware of current trends in military aviation. When all the leading military producers realized the undoubted superiority of jet engined aviation over piston aircraft, Sweden also began developing its own aircraft with a new type of engine. The project for the new combat aircraft was conceived as a replacement for light bombers and ground attackers from the WWII period, so the project started as an attack fighter. Since the production technology of proprietary engines in Sweden did not develop as fast as needed, the first aircraft of the Type 32 project were equipped with licensed copies of the British Avon engine with a Swedish afterburner. The jet strike aircraft under the A32 A designation was mass-produced in Sweden from 1955 to 1958, and was a completely modern combat aircraft of this class. The aircraft was equipped with a quick-fire battery of course weapons of four 20mm guns at the front of the fuselage. As it should be a ground attack aircraft, the A32 A Lansen featured a rich arsenal of outboard weapons distributed over 12 suspension points under the wing: various bombs (up to 600 kg each), up to 24 unguided rockets of various calibres, including 12 anti-ship APHE missiles, or a couple of anti-ship Rb04 guided missiles with an active radar homing system.

At the same time, a fighter-interceptor version of the Lansen was being developed, the first such aircraft took to the sky in January of 1957. The J32B fighter was noticeably different from its attack aircraft sister, primarily with a more powerful engine and specific weapons. The power plant here was also a licensed copy - this time the Avon Mk.47A engine with a Swedish afterburner, which was capable of delivering 2000 kg more thrust compared to the A32 A engine. The new engine also required geometrical and design changes in the air intakes and the jet nozzle. The interceptor received more powerful course armament - four 30mm cannons, copies of the British Aden. There are only four suspension points for further armament, but there is a possibility of installing air-to-air missiles - the US made AIM-9B Sidewinder. However, to work on ground targets, a fighter could also take rockets into battle. The Swedish Air Force ordered 120 of the J32B, this model remained in service until 1973, along with more modern supersonic fighters.