NATO member Hungary seems to be in no rush to ratify Sweden’s bid to join the international alliance. That has done nothing, though, to stop Stockholm from continuing to supply Kyiv with weapons and financial assistance.
Sweden has already provided ten Stridsvagn 122 tanks. These main battle tanks are a variant of the German Leopard 2 that was designed for the Swedish Armed Forces, and the Swedes also provided training on the platform.
Stockholm had drawn the line at combat aircraft, but that might soon change. In May, Swedish Defense Minister Pål Jonsson told local broadcaster TV4 that the government would consider letting Ukrainian pilots test the JAS 39 Gripen fighter jets — a 4++ aircraft that some aviation experts consider to be among the best non-stealth multirole fighters in service today. The Gripen is noted for its ability to operate from remote airstrips with little infrastructure, a point that makes it well suited for use by the Ukrainian Air Force.
“That could, for example, mean test flights, using simulators, learning more about the extensive ground system that is part of the Gripen system,” Jonsson suggested.
Could the JAS 39 Head to Ukraine?
Despite the offer to train Ukrainian pilots, Sweden has remained reluctant to provide aircraft to Kyiv. Stockholm isn’t worried about angering Moscow, but it does believe Sweden needs the aircraft to defend its own territory. Stockholm has since changed course – perhaps due to the fact that in July, Turkey announced it would agree to support Sweden’s bid to join NATO. Though Hungary remains reticent, it would seem that the Nordic nation is on track to become a member of the alliance.
In addition, the U.S. pledged to train Ukrainians to fly and maintain the F-16 Fighting Falcon, with aircraft coming from Denmark and the Netherlands. The first pilots could be trained by the end of the year.
That decision may have moved the proverbial needle for Sweden, with reports earlier this month suggesting that it is again considering sending a number of JAS 39 Gripen fighters to aid the Ukrainian war effort. The most pressing issues are how such a handover would impact Sweden’s defense capabilities, and how quickly the aircraft could be replaced.
Gripen fighters could counter Russia’s air superiority in the war and could help Kyiv with its ongoing counteroffensive, which continues to make slow but steady progress despite having little air support.
Gripen in the Crosshairs
The JAS 39 Gripen is the first true Swedish multirole combat aircraft. It is capable of conducting interception, ground attack, and reconnaissance. Though it is a mature program, having taken its first flight more than three decades ago, the aircraft remains highly capable and very agile. It was designed to confront Soviet aircraft and would be an ideal match for Ukraine as it defends against Russia.
The Mach-2 delta wing and canard fighter jet is powered by a Volvo turbofan engine with an afterburner. It has a range of up to 3,200 km and can fly at an altitude of 15,240 meters. It also has a lower cost per flight hour than many other aircraft.
According to Saab, the Gripen can refuel and rearm in 10 minutes and head back into a fight. As with all Swedish aircraft developed since the 1950s, it can operate from short runways, including converted roads and highways. It requires a surface just 16 meters wide and 500 meters long to take off. That would give it an advantage over the F-16, which requires more robust facilities.
A final point is that the Gripen — Swedish for Griffin — has been untested in combat. Perhaps it is time for this warbird to use its claws in anger and show the world that it is ready for a fight.
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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