Sweden to Train Ukrainian Pilots on the JAS 39 Gripen – Last week, the Swedish government pledged additional support to Ukraine – the twelfth such aid package to Kyiv. In addition to a supply of munitions, Stockholm announced that it would provide training on the JAS 39 Gripen jet fighter.
“The armed forces are tasked with orientation training for Ukrainian pilots and associated aeronautical personnel on the JAS 39. The background is that the Ukrainian armed forces have expressed requests to be able to operationally evaluate the JAS 39 as one of the most urgent measures is to strengthen the Ukrainian air defense with a modern combat aircraft system,” the Swedish Ministry of Defence announced on Friday, June 16.
JAS 39 Training Day
The Swedish Armed Forces will now provide training on the Swedish-made JAS 39 Gripen fighter, which could be a first step towards Ukraine actually receiving any of the fighters.
Other aid being supplied to Ukraine includes additional RBS 70 man-portable air defense systems (MANPADS), Combat Vehicle 90 infantry fighting vehicles (CV90; known as the Stridsfordon 90 in Sweden), Leopard 2 tanks (known in Sweden as the Stridsvagn 122), and Archer self-propelled 155mm howitzers.
The Right Fighter for Ukraine?
The JAS 39 Gripen was developed in the 1980s for a possible conflict with the Soviet Union, so it could be ideally suited to Ukraine’s efforts to drive out the Russian invader. It is noted for being easy to maintain and is also cheaper to operate than the U.S.-made F-16 Fighting Falcon, which Kyiv has been calling for. The Swedish fighter needs a surface just 16 meters wide and 500 meters long to take off, and it requires a stretch of 600 meters to land. The fighter’s canards also help with maneuverability by increasing its angle of attack and providing more lift at slower speeds during landing.
There have been three generations of the Gripen produced to date including the A (single-seat)/B (twin-seat), C/D, and E/F.
All of the aircraft have been equipped with modern digital systems, radars, and navigation, it has been reported. Moreover, the JAS 39 has 10 weapon hard points, which allow it to carry a variety of weapons including missiles, rockets, and bombs. The jet has a combat range of 1,300 km (807 miles).
Challenges to Overcome
However, as previously reported, there are still a number of issues to overcome.
The first and most significant is that Sweden doesn’t actually have the fighters sitting around to send immediately. Modern combat aircraft take time to produce, and manufacturers don’t have products lined up like cars at a dealership, waiting for buyers.
Stockholm isn’t likely to send fighters from its own air force to Ukraine. Even if Sweden pledged to provide the aircraft, it would likely take years for the first fighters to arrive. Supplying parts and training could also present logistical challenges.
Yet, Saab, the maker of the aircraft, has struggled to find foreign buyers. It is possible that the JAS 39s in service with the Czech Republic’s Air Force could be the answer to two problems. Prague’s lease on the fighters is up in 2027, and though Sweden even suggested that it the Czechs could keep the Gripens for free –it is possible a deal could be worked where those aircraft now in service are instead sent to Ukraine. That could provide the aircraft to Ukraine, and allow the world to see the capabilities of the aircraft in a true combat environment.
Last year, the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) awarded a SEK 500 million ($52 million) contract with Saab to provide maintenance services for the fighter aircraft. Per the terms of the deal, Saab will provide capability improvements to the JAS 39 to maintain its operational relevance for the next decade and cost-effective solutions to help sustain the aircraft for an even longer period.
Author Experience and Expertise
A Senior Editor for 19FortyFive, Peter Suciu is a Michigan-based writer. He has contributed to more than four dozen magazines, newspapers, and websites with over 3,200 published pieces over a twenty-year career in journalism. He regularly writes about military hardware, firearms history, cybersecurity, politics, and international affairs. Peter is also a Contributing Writer for Forbes and Clearance Jobs. You can follow him on Twitter: @PeterSuciu.
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