The American F-16 is Elite, and the Swedish Gripens are a Game-Changer

Sweden’s JAS-39 Gripen is among the most elite multi-role fighter planes today. Created by the Swedish homegrown defense industry Saab, the Gripens are a premier aircraft that European nations frequently procure.

Producing several variants, the Gripens are becoming a shield of Europe alongside America’s F-16s and F-35s. With the US having the world’s most capable aircraft, the Swedish defense industry is quietly becoming an aerial giant thanks to the effectiveness of the JAS Gripens.

What are the Swedish Gripens?

The JAS Gripens have been in production by Saab AB since 1987 to upgrade and digress from older models such as the 35 Draken and 37 Viggen. Saab has a specific designation for the JAS fighter planes.

The J stands for Jakt (air to air in Sweden), the A stands for Attack (air to surface missiles), and the S stands for Spanning (for reconnaissance for purposes). The Swedish jet can fly at Mach 1.8, the top speed of all current aircraft in aerial warfare. There are five generations of the Gripens, with the recent Gripen E being the newest model.

Why the Gripens are a Premier Aircraft

The latest model of the Gripen E is nearly as capable as the F-35A. Holding an even stronger turbofan, the Gripen E can fly at speeds of Mach 2.0. The E version is designed with larger fuel tanks than the previous variants, allowing aerial reconnaissance and combat engagements to be much longer.

Stockholm, already having one of the world’s top defense industries for innovation, installed AI into Gripen E for vital communications for mission control when a pilot needs emergency orders. One such vital component for communications includes:

• A MAW (missile approach warning).
• The Raven AESA radar.
• An advanced electronic warfare system (EWS).

What differentiates the EWS of the Gripen E from other jets is that it uses gallium nitrate (GaN), allowing the aircraft to be more stealth than other fighters in the air. Holding a variation of armaments, the Gripen E class can also be fitted with Saab RBS anti-ship missiles—though a demonstration has not yet been exercised.

A significant advantage the Gripens hold over other exceptional aircraft, such as the F-16, is the lower drag, which allows the fighter jet to excel in climb rates. Situational awareness is a critical component of the E variant as allied countries who procure the aircraft will face highly capable militaries such as Russia and China.

Europe’s Failsafe Aircraft

The Gripens produced during the late Cold War to intercept Soviet aircraft made the new versions, and the American F-35s are the perfect fighter jets for Europe to maintain deterrence over Russia today.

During the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine, Kyiv is highly scoping the Gripens, hoping to potentially have some of the older or modern variants sent to the war-battered country. Since mid-2023, Ukrainian pilots have trained and tested on the JAS-39.

Currently, the Swedish government is debating on the possibility of sending the Gripens to Ukraine to combat Russian missile onslaughts that are depleting the country’s air defense systems. Now that Sweden has ascended to become the 32nd NATO member, it is more likely that Stockholm will transfer the warplanes in the next several months as other European nations plan on sending F-16s.

The fighter itself can intercept Russian surface-to-air missiles, which could be helpful in Ukraine to stop missile onslaught against their cities. Perhaps an opportunity to expand multi-purpose fighter exports, Sweden could gain various new international customers if the Gripens were combat tested against Russian missiles and warplanes such as the SU-25 and SU-35.

Sweden currently exports the Gripen variants on the continent to Central Europe, which, like Eastern Europe, has a looming threat of Russian expansion and influence. Czechia and Hungary currently have their variants in their respective Air Force. Outside of Europe, South Africa, Brazil, and Thailand have also procured their own JAS variations. According to a February 2024 article from Defense News, the Philippines is currently negotiating with the Gripens.

Wanting to modernize their fleet against Chinese naval threats, the Philippines are currently in a decade-long military modernization, during which the Gripens can play a crucial role. The JAS-39 Gripen is one of the most capable fighter jets today, and the Gripen-E variant is on par with the F-35A. Helping to control the skies in Northern Europe, the Gripens can supplement the Joint Nordic Air Command and act as an aerial shield throughout the continent.

—

Disclaimer: SOFREP utilizes AI for image generation and article research. Occasionally, it’s like handing a chimpanzee the keys to your liquor cabinet. It’s not always perfect and if a mistake is made, we own up to it full stop. In a world where information comes at us in tidal waves, it is an important tool that helps us sift through the brass for live rounds.