Summary and 4 Key Points: As Ukraine struggles to sustain its air force in the ongoing war with Russia, Sweden might be considering transferring up to 14 retired JAS-39 Gripen C/D fighter jets.
-The Gripen is a versatile and cost-effective fourth-generation aircraft designed for rapid deployment and operations from unprepared airstrips—an advantage in Ukraine’s contested airspace.
-While Stockholm prioritizes Ukraine’s smooth integration of F-16s first, the Gripen’s mobility, affordability, and NATO interoperability make it an ideal addition.
-This move would bolster Ukraine’s air defense while giving Sweden and NATO a unique opportunity to observe the aircraft’s performance against Russian threats in an active conflict.
Sweden’s JAS-39 Gripen: A Game-Changer for Ukraine’s Air Force?
The Ukrainian Air Force is embattled and needs more help to survive in its war with Russia. The US recently sent F-16s to Kyiv, which helped, but the country needs more dedicated fighter aircraft. Sweden may just have the answer.
The Swedish government is retiring 45 of its 105 operationally excellent 4th-generation JAS-39 Gripen aircraft. The C/D models are being replaced as the country integrates the next generation of Gripens into its air force.
The Swedish Ministry of Defense has released a report that hints at preserving spare parts for 14 of these older jets specifically for Kyiv’s potential use.
At the same time, Saab, the aerospace giant behind the Gripen, continues to champion the aircraft as a game-changer for Ukraine’s embattled forces.
“Without jumping to conclusions [at a political level], I hope it will happen,” Saab CEO Micael Johansson told Breaking Defense at the Munich Security Conference last week.
“I can only hope it will happen. I don’t have any more detailed insight into how they are contemplating” the approval decision, he added of political discussions associated with the military aid effort.
A spokesperson for the Swedish Defense Minister told Breaking Defense last week that there is “nothing new regarding Gripen. The Air Force Capability coalition advised Sweden to wait until” the F-16 integration into Ukraine’s Air Force is implemented.
Meet The JAS-39 Gripen Fighter
The JAS 39C/D Gripen, developed by Saab, is an outstanding Swedish fourth-generation aircraft. It is lightweight, agile, and powerful enough to withstand the fight from larger adversaries.
Introduced in the late 1990s, the C/D variants built on the original A/B models, enhancing avionics, weaponry, and NATO interoperability.
The Gripen has a delta wing and canard configuration, a relaxed stability design, and fly-by-wire flight controls. Later aircraft are entirely NATO interoperable. As of 2020, more than 271 Gripens of all models, A–F, have been delivered.
The aircraft were estimated to have been sourced roughly 67% from Swedish or European suppliers and 33% from the US. A Volvo RM12 turbofan engine, a license-manufactured derivative of the General Electric F404, powers the Gripens.
Each engine produces 18,100 pounds of thrust, propelling the aircraft to Mach 2 (1,300 mph) at altitude and Mach 1.2 (913 mph) at sea level.
The Gripen is armed with a 27 mm Mauser BK-27 revolver cannon that fires 120 rounds and eight hardpoints carrying various bombs, missiles, and FLIR pods. Its delta-wing design and canard configuration give it exceptional maneuverability.
Logistics Concerns Are Always Valid
Janes reported that Swedish Minister of Defence Pål Jonson, at a press conference on November 22, said:
“There were spares for up to 14 [Gripen] platforms in the last package.”
It isn’t known when these jets could be transferred to Ukraine, but the intent is clear on Stockholm’s part that this will be done.
About the JAS-39 Gripen, Janes said, “The Gripen is a highly capable multirole combat aircraft (with an emphasis on point air defense) that is designed to be both easy to sustain and cheap to operate (arguably, Ukraine’s three chief requirements in a combat jet right now).”
Sweden reiterated that its priority is not to overtax Ukraine’s logistics as it absorbs European F-16 Fighting Falcons ( it will also receive six French Mirage 2000-5s in the first half of 2025 ). With this many new aircraft coming into a system already taxed heavily by the continuing war, it is valid that Stockholm believes this, and it is a smart move.
Versatility And Mobility Are Top Selling Points
One of the JAS-39 Gripen’s best assets is its versatility, mobility, and diversity. It can land on unprepared airstrips, such as highways, to refuel and rearm, serving it well in Ukraine.
This would bode well for Ukraine as Russia has launched thousands of missiles at Ukrainian military and civilian infrastructure, including its airfields.
“The idea of keeping on the move, rapid turnarounds, and being very, very hard to destroy,” said Tim Robinson, a military-aviation specialist at the UK’s Royal Aeronautical Society, told Business Insider.
This move by Sweden is a good one for both countries as it gives Kyiv an excellent fourth-generation fighter. It is good for Sweden as they’ve been concerned about a possible Russian invasion for decades.
And they can see how well their aircraft fare in a war with Russian aggression. NATO will also closely monitor these events as they play out.
JAS-39 Fighter: A Photo Expo
Saab JAS 39 Gripen E fighter. Image Credit: Creative Commons.
Sweden’s JAS-39 Gripen. Image Credit: Creative Commons.
JAS 39 Gripen. Image Credit: Creative Commons.
Sweden’s JAS 39. Image Credit: Creative Commons.
JAS 39 fighter. Image Credit: Creative Commons.
JAS 39 Gripen. Image Credit: Creative Commons.
JAS 39 Gripen. Image Credit: Creative Commons.
About the Author: Steve Balestrieri
Steve Balestrieri is a 19FortyFive National Security Columnist. He served as a US Army Special Forces NCO and Warrant Officer. In addition to writing for 19FortyFive, he covers the NFL for PatsFans.com and is a member of the Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA). His work was regularly featured in many military publications.
