Ukrainian pilots have completed familiarization training with Swedish Gripen fighters.
While the mastery of F-16 fighters by Ukrainian pilots is given a lot of bureaucratic procedures, representatives of the Ukrainian Armed Forces have already met the Swedish Gripen. Ukrainian pilots have completed familiarization training with Swedish Gripen fighters, Swedish Prime Minister Paul Johnson said. True, Sweden is still considering sending planes to Ukraine. what are they
Negotiations are underway
Familiarization exercises include test flights of the aircraft and simulators, as well as briefings for ground personnel.
According to Jonson, the experience gained in such training will be the basis for determining whether the conditions are in place to send Gripen aircraft to Ukraine.
There is no final decision on the transfer of these aircraft to Ukraine, but on September 12, Swedish media reported that the Swedish government is considering the possibility of donating some JAS 39 Gripen fighters to Ukraine.
The possibility of providing Ukraine with these aircraft was discussed during the summer visit of Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky and Air Force Commander of the Ukrainian Armed Forces Nikolai Oleshchuk to Sweden.
Better than the F-16?
The Gripen aircraft (translated as “griffin”) was developed and manufactured by the Swedish company Saab. This is the Swedish fourth-generation multirole fighter (like the American F-16), its development began in the late 70s. Their creation was part of the country’s defense strategy in the event of a possible conflict between Western states and the USSR.
They were adopted by the Swedish Air Force in the mid-1990s. Such aircraft were exported to the Czech Republic, Hungary, South Africa, Thailand, and Brazil.
Gripen fighters also participated in the international military operation in Libya, where they patrolled the airspace and conducted reconnaissance.
These aircraft are known for their ease of maintenance, ease of use on runways, and relatively low operating costs. The JAS 39 Gripen is also cheaper than the F-16 and easier to master.
Appropriate, but there is a caveat
Military experts say that the Swedish aircraft may be one of the best options for the Ukrainian Armed Forces. Despite their relatively small size and weight, these fighters meet the requirements of high efficiency and reliability. They are also designed for operations in very difficult conditions, including winter conditions.
The single-engine Gripen aircraft, developed by Volvo, uses relatively little fuel compared to other variants, and the fighters themselves have a wide range of weapons available from many countries. “It has good features, modern radar and avionics, and small size, so it is difficult to notice visually,” said experts at The War Zone.
The aircraft is specifically designed to protect Swedish airspace from Russian aircraft, and can also land on short runways and even on highways.
The main problem with the Gripen is considered to be their small number: Sweden has less than 100 fighters in service, and Stockholm has transferred about 66 more to other countries. According to Yuriy Ignat, Sweden can provide Ukraine with only one squadron, that is, about 14 aircraft, and the rest will have to wait ten years. Ignat also asserted that Ukraine is preparing the airport infrastructure for American F-16 fighters, so any foreign aircraft can land in Ukraine.
Source: korrespondent
I am David Wyatt, a professional writer and journalist for Buna Times. I specialize in the world section of news coverage, where I bring to light stories and issues that affect us globally. As a graduate of Journalism, I have always had the passion to spread knowledge through writing.