The JAS 39 Gripen is one of the best fighters on Earth. And soon, it could be fighting in Ukraine: Since Russia first invaded Ukraine in February 2022, the U.S. and its North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) allies have rallied together to aid Kyiv’s defensive efforts. Combined, Western nations have provided billions of dollars’ worth of military equipment, training and funds for Ukraine’s forces.
Delivered main battle tanks (MBTs), anti-tank weaponry, infantry fighting vehicles and scores of ammunition have undoubtedly contributed to Kyiv’s progress amidst its ongoing counteroffensive. In order to take its drive to recapture territory to the next level, however, Ukrainian officials are hoping for advanced Western airframes.
This week, Swedish public radio reported that the Swedish government is considering donating JAS 39 Gripen fighters to Kyiv. If this exchange comes to fruition, Moscow’s Soviet-era platforms would be in trouble.
What we know about the potential exchange
According to the Swedish news outlet, Kyiv hopes to acquire roughly 16-18 Gripen airframes. Since the onset of the war, president Volodymyr Zelensky has pleaded with the West to send over fourth-generation jets.
While the White House remained pretty adamant that it would not support the delivery of the American-made F-16 fighter platform to Kyiv initially, the Biden administration ultimately reversed policy a few months ago and gave its allies the green light to provide these fighters to Ukraine. The Netherlands and Denmark have notably been urging countries to supply F-16s to Kyiv to help counter Moscow’s air superiority.
Back in June, Sweden committed to “providing orientation training for Ukrainian pilots and associated aeronautical personnel on the JAS 39.” Now, a potential armed forces investigation into a Gripen transfer would ascertain how Ukrainian pilots and mechanics could be trained to fly and operate these airframes, indicating a possible ramp up in training. The addition of these formidable fighters into Ukraine’s aerial arsenal would certainly enhance the country’s capabilities.
How JAS 39 Gripens would benefit Kyiv
The single-engine supersonic multirole fighter was conceptualized back in the late 1970’s. Around this time, the Swedish government began seeking a replacement for its aging Saab 37 Viggen and Saab 35 Draken airframes.
Some of the requirements the platform needed to fulfill include being able to fly at speeds reaching Mach 2.0 (times the speed of sound) with increased payload capabilities. Although a variety of foreign counterparts were studied including the F-16 and F/A-18 Hornet, Sweden eventually opted for a brand new jet to be developed by Saab.
Perhaps the Gripen’s most significant design feature is its short-field ability, which enables it to perform “defensive dispersed basing” in the event of an invasion. In fact, the Swedish jet can land on strips as short as 2,600 feet.
JAS 39 fighter. Image Credit: Creative Commons.
This capability would make the Gripen an ideal candidate for Ukraine. Since constructing massive runways would be very obvious and easy for Russian forces to target, the Gripens ability to land on short fields or even highways would be game-changing. Additionally, the Swedish fighter is compatible with a wide array of NATO weaponry, including air-to-air, air-to-ground and precision-guided munitions.
Moscow is relying on its fleet of largely Soviet-era airframes to carry out aerial missions. If Kyiv does procure more advanced fighters, the balance in air superiority would tilt in Ukraine’s favor.
JAS 39 Gripen. Image Credit: Creative Commons.
JAS 39: A Photo Essay of What Ukraine Could Get
JAS 39 Gripen. Image Credit: Creative Commons.
Sweden JAS 39 Fighter. Image Credit: Creative Commons.
JAS 39 Gripen. Image Credit: Creative Commons.
Maya Carlin, a Senior Editor for 19FortyFive, is an analyst with the Center for Security Policy and a former Anna Sobol Levy Fellow at IDC Herzliya in Israel. She has by-lines in many publications, including The National Interest, Jerusalem Post, and Times of Israel. You can follow her on Twitter: @MayaCarlin.
