Gripen fighters for Ukraine: will they change the situation at the front?
23 October 18:31
ANALYSIS FROM 
Ukraine will receive the first Swedish Gripen fighter jets in 2026. This was announced by Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson during a joint press conference with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
The leaders of the two countries have already signed a document providing for long-term cooperation. It specifies that no immediate deliveries are planned. The Embassy of Sweden in Ukraine confirmed that the agreement on the transfer of fighter jets had been signed.
Sweden has now begun production of the E-series Gripen aircraft intended for Ukraine. A total of approximately 100-150 fighters are expected to be delivered over the next 10-15 years.
Gripen is a step into the future of Ukrainian aviation
Military and political observer of the Information Resistance group Oleksandr Kovalenko in an exclusive commentary for "Komersant Ukrainian" explained why the arrival of Swedish JAS Gripen fighters could be a breakthrough for the Ukrainian Air Force.
“If we get a squadron of 10-12 aircraft over the next year, it will be good,” Kovalenko said.
According to him, the Gripen is a multifunctional light fighter similar in class to the F-16, but much more modern and technologically advanced.
“The F-16s we receive from our partners are basic, initial modifications. These are the first F-16s that are already 30 years old. And in today’s warfare, they are outdated,” the expert explains.
According to him, such aircraft need additional support – long-range radar surveillance systems, reconnaissance and complex integration with the latest weapons.
“They are not bad, but they are outdated. Better than the MiG-29, but still outdated,” Kovalenko emphasized.
Kovalenko says that the Gripen is a modern, competitive aircraft, technically and technologically much better than what we have now.
It is an adequate replacement for Soviet aircraft such as the MiG-29, and even more advanced than the F-16s we are receiving,” the military observer emphasized.
He also noted that the process of supplying the aircraft will take years, but the main thing is to start implementing it.
“The number of 150 aircraft is not tomorrow or in a year. This is a long-term process. The main thing is to get it started – we really need it,” Kovalenko added.
The expert emphasizes that the United States does not provide us with the most modern F-16s. Our European partners also do not provide us with the latest modernization models. And Gripen is a competitor to F-16s of newer versions. He is convinced that the supply of Swedish fighters will be the right direction for modernizing the Ukrainian Air Force.
We will be getting a modern, high-tech aircraft. This is the right vector of movement. If not the F-16, then the Gripen. If not the Gripen, then maybe the Rafale, but due to the contract load, France will not be able to supply them in the required quantity,” Kovalenko explained.
Gripen is ready to use Taurus missiles
The Gripen is a carrier for Taurus missiles – they do not require additional integration systems. This is a huge advantage,” the analyst emphasized.
He also drew attention to the unexpected appearance of Mirage-2000 aircraft in Ukraine:
“We hadn’t heard about pilot training for Mirage-2000, and in two weeks a whole squadron appeared. This means that the training was not public. Unlike the F-16s, which were talked about everywhere, the French direction was practiced quietly and effectively,” Kovalenko summarized.
Where will the funding come from?
Swedish Defense Minister Paul Johnson said that the country could pay for the delivery of 100-150 JAS Gripen Model E fighters to Ukraine using frozen Russian assets. This was reported by Omni.
According to Jonson, this option is realistic, and the government is studying several possible mechanisms for its implementation.
“We are considering the possibility of using frozen Russian assets,” the minister emphasized.
“The estimated cost of one aircraft is about $85 million, so an order for 100 units could cost about $8.5 billion.
At the same time, Omni reminds us that the issue of using Russia’s frozen assets has been discussed in the European Union for a long time. On the eve of the EU summit, it is expected that the leaders of the countries may reach an agreement on this issue, especially given the absence of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who previously blocked the relevant decisions.
What is known about Gripen fighter jets
The Gripen is a fourth-generation Swedish multi-role fighter developed by Saab. It officially entered service with the Swedish Air Force on November 1, 1997.
Compared to the US F-16, the Gripen is smaller, consumes less fuel, and has a smaller payload. At the same time, its main advantage is its high mobility and unpretentiousness: the aircraft is able to perform combat missions even from short or damaged runways, and can take off from highways.
In addition, the Gripen is known for its ease of maintenance and quick return to service after a flight, which makes it particularly effective in today’s warfare environment.
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