After the F-16, the Saab JAS 39 Gripen fighter could also join the Ukrainian Air Force, according to statements by Swedish ministers, announcing the training of Ukrainian pilots on the aircraft, and its possible export to Kyiv.
In recent days, announcements follow one another around the constitution of the new Ukrainian westernized hunting fleet. Several European countries, including the Netherlands and Denmark, have already indicated that they will supply F-16 fighter jets to the Ukrainian air force, while Copenhagen and The Hague have been responsible for coordinating the training of pilots and technical maintenance personnel to operate these devices by the fall.
If, by its wide distribution in Europe, and its American origin, the F-16 has naturally been designated as the most suitable platform for the Ukrainian air forces, especially since several air forces in Europe are evolving towards the F-35A, another aircraft has often been mentioned as a potential suitable choice for Kyiv, the JAS 39 Gripen.
Fighter, efficient, modern and light, the Gripen is today in service with 6 air forces, including 3 European ones: Hungary with 12 aircraft, the Czech Republic with 14 aircraft on lease which will soon expire, and Sweden, which has 98 Gripen C/Ds being modernized, as well as 24 Gripen A in reserve, and which ordered 2016 new JAS 60 Gripen E/Fs in 39 to modernize its fleet.
Stockholm indeed has a certain capital of aircraft that could possibly be transferred to Kyiv, while the Ukrainian authorities had officially announced that they were interested in the Swedish aircraft as part of the modernization of the country's air force a few months ago.
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