With the possibility of providing strong leverage for Ukraine’s air defense, one of the major defense think tanks recommended the transfer to the Ukrainian Air Force of Saab JAS 39 Gripen C/D fighter jets. The UK-based Royal United Services Institute identified the Swedish aircraft as the most appropriate Western-manufactured combat jet to answer the operational needs of Ukraine against Russian aggression.
The Gripen design is optimized for low-level air superiority tactics from dispersed bases, a match for the most contemporary operational methods employed by the Ukrainian Air Force. Also, its electronic warfare suite is specially developed to deal with Russian fighters and SAM radars. It also illustrates the importance of supporting the aircraft with SAM launchers, missile ammunition, and self-propelled anti-aircraft guns to prevent a new Russian strike campaign.
The incorporation of an anti-ship capability for the Gripen and the MBDA’s Meteor beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile (BVRAAM), with ramjet power, the installation provides an effective deterrent to Russian air insertions, because both are relatively immune to counter-threat. No Russian Air Force pilots have been pushing into UAF airspace manned with SAM and MANPADS batteries so far in April, which is an indication that this threat is guiding their behavior, even if they are not anxious about the ability of those SAMs to engage at the required altitude.
But, for all the strident reasoning above, the transfer of these Western-built, furnace-hot combat jets to the Ukrainians is not quite a decision entirely within the gift of European and US politicians. They are worried about upping the ante; permissions to operate sorties from NATO territory; and above all, the complex web of training. If notwithstanding these, then Sweden, Hungary, and the Czech Republic are the most likely candidates that could be called upon to make deliveries.
A Saab spokesperson at its Sweden head office confirmed on April 8 that the Gripen would be suitable for Ukraine’s defense, though any export decision would have to involve the blessing of relevant authorities. Previous appeals by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for Western fighter jets to come to Kyiv’s aid have been rebuffed, though some U.S. officials, including such senior figures as Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Charles Q. Brown, have gone on record in support of the idea.
Concomitantly, Ukraine and Sweden are also hashing out the Gripen fighter transfer, with discussions heating up after Sweden’s NATO membership decided. Ihor Zhovkva, the Deputy Head of Office of the President of Ukraine, said that first off, Sweden showed some reluctance to the commitment because of starting its NATO membership finalization. Now that Sweden is in, however, those talks have picked up once again. In the interim, and with F-16s already having been provided to Ukraine, Gripen jets are deemed a good alternative.
The Swedish defense ministry also made known its readiness to provide Gripen warplanes for a Western coalition assisting Ukraine, pending Sweden joining NATO. This fits into a $200 million package of weapons and defense support for Ukraine.
Moreover, Sweden has confirmed the greatest military aid package to Ukraine of about $1.3 billion. The two aircraft ASC 890 for radar reconnaissance and control, all the remaining Swedish Pansarbandvagn 302 infantry carriers, artillery shells, anti-aircraft missiles, and supplies for maintenance of all military hardware it had provided earlier. President Zelensky appreciated all of this and especially emphasized that Swedish assistance is critical both for Ukraine’s defense and long-term European security.
As the geopolitical landscape is in constant shift and change, the transfer of the Gripen jets to Ukraine might be a potential game-changer in delivering advanced capabilities to Ukraine that would effectively allow it to counter Russian threats.