Ukraine set to bolster air power: F‑16s, Gripens, and Mirages in focus

In the coming weeks, Ukraine will receive its first F-16 fighter jets. However, the authorities are continuing their efforts to acquire other similar aircraft from the West, primarily the Mirage 2000 and the JAS-39 Gripen. But which of these planes will perform best in combat against the Russians?

Roman Svitan, a Ukrainian military expert and reserve colonel, expressed an interesting opinion. He emphasised that the capabilities of individual fighters, particularly regarding their ability to carry weapons, will play a very significant role. The F-16, Mirage 2000, and Gripen are adapted for different types of missiles and bombs.

The Gripen is particularly noteworthy because it can carry both European and American weaponry. Although the Swedish machine is slightly smaller than the F-16, it can take off with almost the same amount of armament in terms of weight.

"Each aircraft can carry a specific range of weaponry. For example, the Gripen can launch Taurus missiles, and the Mirage 2000 can fire Storm Shadow/Scalp-EG missiles. The F-16 operates with American JASSM cruise missiles and long-range AIM-120 AMRAAM missiles. Each of these planes will perform the task of launching the weaponry that will be delivered to us. They will complement each other depending on the tasks," explained Svitan, adding, however, that the Gripen is universal. Besides the advantage of carrying European missiles, it also has the capability to integrate with certain types of American rockets.

Earlier, some Ukrainian experts also highlighted other factors supporting the notion that the Gripen seems to be a fighter jet tailored to Ukraine's current needs. Compared to the Mirage 2000 and F-16, it is noticeably cheaper to operate, and it can take off from makeshift runways (a simple stretch of road about 870 yards long).

The topic of transferring Gripen fighter jets to Ukraine appeared in public discussions as early as 2023. Swedish Foreign Minister Tobias Billström recently stated that Ukraine decided to delay the purchase of JAS 39 Gripen fighter jets until the F-16 transfers are completed. However, the Ukrainians denied these claims, asserting that they remain consistently interested in Swedish fighter jets.

The Gripen is a single-engine fighter with delta wings and a canard configuration, developed by the Swedish company SAAB. It measures about 46 feet in length and reaches speeds of up to Mach 2 (about 1323 mph). It can operate at altitudes up to 59,000 feet. Besides weapons, it can carry a reserve of 660 gallons of fuel and one or two pilots, depending on the version. It is standardly armed with a Mauser BK-27 cannon of 27 mm calibre.