“Gripen”… Swedish Fighter Jet Faces its ‘Toughest Test’ in Ukraine

7th December 2024

3 minutes read

“Gripen”… Swedish Fighter Jet Faces its ‘Toughest Test’ in Ukraine

A “tough” challenge awaits the Swedish fighter jet “Gripen” as Stockholm prepares to deliver it to Kyiv.

From Russian hypersonic missiles to older systems like the American Patriots, the war in Ukraine has served as a testing ground for weapons from both sides. Some have underperformed, while others have exceeded expectations in this challenging environment.

By granting Kyiv its “Gripen” fighter jets, Stockholm will bolster Ukraine’s air force and provide NATO with a rare opportunity to evaluate the jet’s performance in a real combat scenario. According to the Business Insider, the war with Russia represents the exact scenario for which the aircraft was designed.

Initially, Sweden declined to send its jets to Ukraine, but it has since become more open to the idea. However, it remains unclear whether Kyiv will receive the “Gripen” and, if so, when.

Will Kyiv Receive the Gripen?

Recently, Swedish Defense Minister Pål Jonson stated that his country had been advised to wait until Ukraine makes further progress in developing its fleet of American F-16 jets. Still, Kyiv might eventually acquire the “Gripen.”

The “Gripen,” a powerful fourth-generation fighter jet developed at the end of the Cold War, is operated by several countries. Although it was designed to counter Russian Sukhoi fighter jets, it has never engaged in such combat.

Tim Robinson, a military aviation expert with the Royal Aeronautical Society in the UK, told Business Insider that the Gripen reflects Sweden’s vision of a dispersed and mobile air force designed to counter Russian threats.

NATO is particularly interested in seeing how the Gripen performs against Russia, especially given its “very strong electronic warfare system,” a capability whose importance has been highlighted by the war in Ukraine.

While air-to-air combat is rare in Ukraine, George Barros, a war expert at the Institute for the Study of War, noted that Gripen’s performance against Russian aircraft could provide valuable tactical insights for Sweden and NATO.

Strategic Gains for Sweden and NATO

Sweden joined NATO last March in response to the war in Ukraine. The alliance welcomed this move, citing Sweden’s geographic position and its military focus on countering Russian threats as strategic advantages in case of a conflict with Russia.

Michael Bohnert, a defense expert at the Rand Corporation, highlighted that this deployment would also benefit Saab, Gripen’s manufacturer, which is competing globally to supply fourth-generation fighters. France, which has offered Mirage jets to Ukraine, and Sweden both have strong incentives to provide high-performing aircraft with robust support.

Although Gripen was used in Libya in 2011 for reconnaissance missions, the models likely to be delivered to Ukraine are older versions, such as the C and D variants. If these models perform well in Ukraine, it could enhance the reputation of more advanced versions currently in production.

Retired U.S. Army General Gordon “Skip” Davis suggested that successful performance by Gripen in Ukraine would be “a major boost for Saab and Sweden’s defense industry.” He noted that the jet is well-positioned to succeed, given Sweden’s focus, like other European nations, on countering Russian threats.

Michael Bohnert concluded that the Gripen is better suited to Ukraine’s needs than the F-16, as it was “specifically designed” for combat scenarios like those Ukraine is currently facing.