The months-long saga related to the transfer of JAS 39 Gripen fighters to Ukraine ends and at the same time begins. There was talk about such help a few years ago and we finally have official confirmation of such a transfer.
Sweden will send a total of 16 C/D version fighters to Kievas part of a contract worth EUR 2.5 billion for the purchase of 20 Gripens in the E/F version by Ukraine. According to President Volodymyr Zelensky, the Swedish machines are to appear in the Ukrainian sky within 10 months, i.e. in the spring of 2027 at the latest, and the contract will be financed thanks to a loan from the European Union, under which Ukraine will receive EUR 90 billion from the West.
This announcement is a great opportunity to learn more about the possibilities of this modern structure, which should fit perfectly into the realities of the war with Russia.
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JAS 39 Gripen is a light, single-engine and multi-role fighter produced by the Swedish concern Saab. The history of this structure dates back to the 1970s, when Sweden decided to replace the aging Saab 35 Draken and Saab 37 Viggen aircraft with a newer machine. It is an extremely versatile machine that has been designed in such a way as to instantly change the nature of its mission, even during flight. Thanks to this, the pilot can quickly transform his unit from a classic fighter into an attack or reconnaissance plane.
JAS 39 Gripen is a light, single-engine and multi-role fighter produced by the Swedish concern Saab. The history of this structure dates back to the 1970s, when Sweden decided to replace the aging Saab 35 Draken and Saab 37 Viggen aircraft with a newer machine. It is an extremely versatile machine that has been designed in such a way as to instantly change the nature of its mission, even during flight. Thanks to this, the pilot can quickly transform his unit from a classic fighter into an attack or reconnaissance plane.
Saab
From the very beginning, the plane was also designed with low operating costs in mind – an hour of flight costs only PLN 4.7 thousand. hole. The fighter can also be refueled and armed for an air-to-air mission in just 10 minutes or in 20 minutes for an air-to-ground mission. These abilities will be perfect for the realities of the war in Ukraine. Ukrainian aviation often has to respond quickly to threats from Russian missiles or drones.
From the very beginning, the plane was also designed with low operating costs in mind – an hour of flight costs only PLN 4.7 thousand. hole. The fighter can also be refueled and armed for an air-to-air mission in just 10 minutes or in 20 minutes for an air-to-ground mission. These abilities will be perfect for the realities of the war in Ukraine. Ukrainian aviation often has to respond quickly to threats from Russian missiles or drones.
Oleg V. Belyakov / Wikipedia/Creative Commons
Over the years, the JAS 39 has also had several different versions. Currently, its basic version is the C variant equipped with advanced avionics and electronic warfare systems. Thanks to this, gripens can hunt the enemy like a pack of wolves – pilots working in a group instantly share information about the situation in the air, which allows, for example, faster detection of enemy stealth aircraft.
Over the years, the JAS 39 has also had several different versions. Currently, its basic version is the C variant equipped with advanced avionics and electronic warfare systems. Thanks to this, gripens can hunt the enemy like a pack of wolves – pilots working in a group instantly share information about the situation in the air, which allows, for example, faster detection of enemy stealth aircraft.
Saab
Currently, the latest version of Gripen is the JAS 39E model (single-seat version) and F (two-seat version). This is a highly modernized version of this machine, which can already be described as a 4.5 generation aircraft. In this version, the fighter received a larger fuselage, a better engine, increased armament capacity, a new cockpit (visible in the photo above), as well as new avionics, ultra-modern radar and electronic warfare systems. As for specific armament, in the JAS 39E version, the fighter received a 27 mm Mauser BK-27 cannon and can carry over seven tons of various weapons, including modern long-range Meteor and IRIS-T missiles.
Currently, the latest version of Gripen is the JAS 39E model (single-seat version) and F (two-seat version). This is a highly modernized version of this machine, which can already be described as a 4.5 generation aircraft. In this version, the fighter received a larger fuselage, a better engine, increased armament capacity, a new cockpit (visible in the photo above), as well as new avionics, ultra-modern radar and electronic warfare systems. As for specific armament, in the JAS 39E version, the fighter received a 27 mm Mauser BK-27 cannon and can carry over seven tons of various weapons, including modern long-range Meteor and IRIS-T missiles.
Saab
Gripen also has a combat range of 800 (C/D version) or 1.5 thousand. km (version E), accelerates to a speed of 2.1 thousand. km/h and can fly at an altitude of over 15 km. It will also take off from a distance of only 400-500 m and land on a makeshift runway 600 m long. If necessary, the structure will also withstand extreme overloads of up to 12 g, i.e. a force twelve times greater than Earth's gravity.
Gripen also has a combat range of 800 (C/D version) or 1.5 thousand. km (version E), accelerates to a speed of 2.1 thousand. km/h and can fly at an altitude of over 15 km. It will also take off from a distance of only 400-500 m and land on a makeshift runway 600 m long. If necessary, the structure will also withstand extreme overloads of up to 12 g, i.e. a force twelve times greater than Earth's gravity.
