The planned large-scale procurement of Swedish Saab JAS-39E/F Gripen fighter jets for the Ukrainian Air Force involves not only acquiring the jets, but also setting up their localized production in Ukraine, which may prove to be a complex process. When it comes to a combat aircraft, both its armament and the rising trend of fighter drones are crucial considerations.
Let's begin with the key features of the weapons system on the modern Gripen, a fully digital aircraft. This means the Gripen's weapons systems can be continuously upgraded, with its current arsenal open to expansion.
Read more: Ukraine's Air Force Cautions: Swedish Gripen Fighters Won't Arrive Quickly
The Gripen can engage air targets using a variety of missiles, including European Meteor missiles from MBDA, currently the longest-range Western missiles with a 200 km range, alongside American AIM-120 and German IRIS-T missiles.
It is important to note that, according to Saab, Astra, Python 4/5, Derby, AIM-9X Sidewinder, ASRAAM, and other missiles can be easily integrated with the Gripen. Therefore, expanding the aircraft's arsenal with new air-to-air missiles is a task that can be easily accomplished if the customer and manufacturer of new weapons desire to do so.
This applies equally to weapons for striking ground targets. Currently, the arsenal of these weapons includes various high-precision laser-guided bombs and gliding SDBs. Long-range weapons include Swedish RBS15 missiles, as well as plans to upgrade aircraft for German Taurus missiles.
Ukraine could feasibly equip its Gripen aircraft with the UP‑277 air‑to‑air missile, and also upgrade them to carry the Neptune missile, which was initially intended to include an air-to-air variant.
Now, the combat capabilities of an aircraft depend not only on its weapons. The main modern trend is fighter drones, which are designed to accompany manned aircraft and provide not only reconnaissance and ground target engagement, but also full-fledged air combat.
Saab has funded the F‑series program, which envisions a fighter drone that actively uses Gripen avionics and systems. This fighter drone should interact freely with Gripen E/F, significantly expanding its combat capabilities.
At the same time, Saab is actively developing combat artificial intelligence, a crucial element for these systems, and, while still experimental, has integrated Helsing's Centaur combat AI into the existing digital systems of the JAS 39E Gripen.
It also should be noted that Gripen is expected to remain in service with the Ukrainian Air Force well into the second half of the 21st century.
Read more: 100–150 JAS 39 Gripen Fighters for Ukraine: How Much It Will Cost, How Long It Will Take, the Crucial Condition Behind the Deal
