Ukraine revisits JAS‑39 gripen amid fighter jet strategy update
Ukraine is interested in acquiring the Swedish JAS-39 Gripen, one of the contenders among Western fighters. Anatoliy Khrapchynski, a former Ukrainian military pilot, believes these aircraft would be an excellent addition to the Ukrainian Air Force due to features that, for example, the F-16 fighters lack.
12:21 PM EDT, September 27, 2024
Ukraine expressed initial interest in the JAS-39 Gripen several years ago. The topic resurfaced after the outbreak of the full-scale war with Russia. However, after talks with allies at that time, Kyiv decided on the F-16 fighters. With the first of these aircraft already in Ukraine, the acquisition of other fighters, especially the French Mirage and JAS-39 Gripen, is being reconsidered.
JAS-39 gripen ideal for Ukraine?
"It [Gripen - ed.] was the cheapest in terms of operation. It was more accessible in terms of infrastructure and personnel – aviation and technical. We must not forget that this aircraft can take off from a short runway, even a regular highway. In the initial stages of acquiring modern aviation, it was necessary to choose one type of aircraft, and then potentially move on to supplementing it. And this is already happening. After the F-16, we see France's intentions regarding the transfer of Mirage, and there is renewed interest in the JAS-39 Gripen," explained Khrapchynski, quoted by the Unian agency.
From the Ukrainian point of view, JAS-39 Gripen has very important features. While the F-16 must be serviced at airports, the Swedish fighter is capable of taking off from makeshift runways; a simple stretch of road approximately 875 yards long is sufficient. It is also cheaper to maintain. An hour of flight in the JAS-39 Gripen is estimated to cost about 40 percent less than that of the F-16.
Arsenal of the JAS-39 gripen
The JAS-39 Gripen is a single-engine fighter with delta wings and canard control surfaces. It measures about 46 feet in length and can reach speeds of up to Mach 2 (approximately 1,300 mph), operating at altitudes up to 59,000 feet. Its primary armament includes a 27 mm Mauser BK-27 cannon but can also carry mounted missiles and bombs with greater destructive power.
The Swedish fighter is compatible with AIM-9 Sidewinder, IRIS-T, AIM-120 AMRAAM, and AGM-65 Maverick missiles, as well as Mark 82 bombs. It can also carry Taurus KEPD 350 cruise missiles, which Ukraine has been seeking to acquire from Germany for many months. These missiles have a range of up to 310 miles.
