Gripen fighter jets are the “ideal option” for Ukraine, a Ukrainian pilot says, agreeing with other experts on Kiev's military needs, reports Business Insider.
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Vadim Voroshilov, a well-known Ukrainian pilot of Soviet MiG-29 jets with the call sign Karaia, wrote on Instagram this week that the Swedish JAS-39 Gripen “is the only fighter in the world I would be willing to sell my soul for.”
The pilot's comment comes in the context in which Ukraine and Sweden have signed a declaration of intent for the export of up to 150 JAS 39 Gripen E fighter jets. It is the latest, most advanced variant of the plane manufactured in Sweden.
This fighter jet is considered a reliable option for Ukraine, as it was designed with the prospect of a tie-up with Russia. It is ideal for the type of war Russia is waging in Ukraine, and there is a strong case for supplying it to Kiev, experts say.
The Gripen was designed to remain viable even if air bases were destroyed and to have low maintenance needs, unlike many Western aircraft, which is an advantage in wars like the one in Ukraine where airfields are often prime targets and missile and drone attacks make any place unsafe.
Strengths of Gripen aircraft
Voroshilov, who was named a Hero of Ukraine in 2022 and made headlines throughout the war, including for downing two missiles and five drones during an attack on the city of Vinnytsia, listed reasons why he would like to fly a Gripen.
A first reason is that the plane was designed for a battle where the enemy targets military bases and airfields.
Or, this plane can also fly from an airfield damaged by attacks – as is happening in the current war between Russia and Ukraine.
In addition, the air intake is on the sides of the fuselage, which makes it less likely that the aircraft will absorb small fragments of ammunition. This design, he added, helps reduce radar detection.
The plane can be refueled and with the engine running and returned for another mission in minutes, capabilities that Voroshylov said save lives. “Every second counts,” he said, and the Swedish Gripen was designed to get back into the air quickly.
Another aspect is that the Gripen can carry weapons such as MBDA's long-range Meteor air-to-air missile.
The Gripen can be loaded with both US-made and European weapons, which is great for Ukrainian forces fighting a wide range of weapons received from allies.
Last but not least, the Swedish Gripen is one of the cheapest and most efficient in terms of operating costs among modern aircraft. For example, it is cheaper to fly per hour than a MiG-29, emphasizes the Ukrainian pilot. In the long run, this aspect is in favor of Ukraine.
Kiev is building a fleet of aircraft
The aircraft holds promise not only on the battlefield, but also for the defense industry. Swedish company Saab, maker of the Gripen, has said it is ready to open a final assembly plant for the planes in Ukraine and is also considering moving part of its production to Ukraine if the deal goes through.
Ukraine's air force predominantly has old, Soviet-designed aircraft such as the MiG-29, but also operates a few Western models provided by partner nations, such as the American-made F-16 and the French-made Mirage.
Gripen jets have long been on Kiev's wish list, but only recently have there been changes in allies' willingness to provide them.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said he expects to receive the first Gripen aircraft as early as next year. It is not clear how many will be supplied in a first batch and what is the timetable for the rest.
Ukrainian pilots have been training on this plane, but there is likely a lot of work to be done, especially since Ukraine juggles a very diverse fleet of aircraft. One advantage of this is that it furthers Ukraine's efforts to align itself with Western militaries.
Voroshilov lobbied for F-16s in 2023, and his argument at the time was that these planes would help make Ukraine a powerful “shield” for the democratic world.
Ukraine plans to assemble a fleet of 250 fighter jets,
Ukraine is working on building a fleet of 250 modern fighter jets, including the F-16, Gripen and Rafale, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy announced on Monday.
The program is part of Ukraine's long-term strategy to modernize the Ukrainian Air Force (UAF) and strengthen national security.
“We are holding parallel talks with Sweden, France and the United States. The goal is a fleet of 250 new aircraft. This is our future,” Zelenskiy said during a conference call with journalists.
The Swedish Gripen is a priority for Ukraine, as these planes are easier to maintain, pilots can be trained in about six months and they can take off and land on roads.
Zelenski also announced a preliminary agreement with Sweden for 150 Saab JAS39 Gripen aircraft, including for local production.
“We have agreed with Sweden to sign a contract, and Ukraine will have 150 new Gripen aircraft. It is a long way, but a very good option,” he said.
Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson hailed the planned deal as “long-term,” saying initial deliveries could begin in about three years.
The Financial Times (FT), citing Saab CEO Micael Johansson, said the plant is considering expanding production to Brazil and possibly Canada and other parts of Europe – including Ukraine – to cope with the large number of planes planned.
At the same time, “President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that Ukraine is actively negotiating with France a possible purchase of Dassault Rafale fighter jets,” according to a report by the specialized publication Defense Blog.
The Rafale, France's most advanced multi-role fighter jet of the fourth generation and above, has not been officially approved for transfer to Ukraine, which the French Ministry of Defense considers a priority for its own fleet.
Currently, the Mirage 2000-5F, a fourth-generation fighter with limited air-to-air and air-to-ground capabilities, is the French contribution to Ukrainian air power.
Zelenski confirmed that a new batch of Mirage 2000-5F fighter jets is due to arrive soon, along with additional air-to-air missiles.
F-16s, the backbone of Ukraine's fighter fleet
Once Belgium transfers its promised 30 F-16s to the UAF, pending replacement F-35s, Ukraine will have a fleet of approximately 86 F-16AM (single-seat) and F-16BM (two-seat) aircraft.
Although these models are some of the oldest F-16s still in service, the Mid-Life Update (MLU) of the 2000-2010 decade brought NATO warplanes closer to current US operational standards for the F-16CM. These MLU aircraft underwent significant upgrades to their electronic warfare (EW) systems prior to transfer to the UAF.
