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The Strategy Page | June 27, 2012: The Swedish Air Force recently got the go-ahead to build prototypes
of the new JAS 39E Gripen fighter. This happened mainly because Switzerland has agreed to buy it. The Swedish
Air Force hopes this will persuade their own government to buy some of these aircraft. Formerly known as the
Gripen NG (Next Generation) fighters, the JAS 39E will be heavier (17 tons), have better electronics, a heavier
payload (over four tons), and be a two seater version better able to handle ground attack and electronic warfare
duties.
Sweden is describing the 39E as a "new aircraft" compared to the earlier JAS 39 models. There's some truth to that,
as the 39E is a little longer and heavier, but still looks like a Gripen, The 39E is full of more expensive, and capable,
electronics, but that's not obvious by just looking at the new model. The first 39E is expected to fly next year and
enter service in 2018.
Often regarded as an also-ran in the current crop of "modern jet fighters", the Swedish Gripen is proving to be more
competition than the major players (the F-16, F-18, F-35, Eurofighter, Rafale, MiG-29, and Su-27) expected. Put
simply, Gripen does a lot of little (but important) things right and costs about half as much (at about $35 million each)
as its major competitors.
More importantly, Gripen also costs about half as much, per flight hour, to operate. In effect, Gripen provides the
ruggedness and low cost of Russian aircraft with the high quality and reliability of Western aircraft. For many nations
this is an appealing combination. The Gripen is easy to use (both for pilots and ground crews) and capable of doing all
jet fighter jobs (air defense, ground support, and reconnaissance) well enough.
The Strategy Page | June 27, 2012: The Swedish Air Force recently got the go-ahead to build prototypes
of the new JAS 39E Gripen fighter. This happened mainly because Switzerland has agreed to buy it. The Swedish
Air Force hopes this will persuade their own government to buy some of these aircraft. Formerly known as the
Gripen NG (Next Generation) fighters, the JAS 39E will be heavier (17 tons), have better electronics, a heavier
payload (over four tons), and be a two seater version better able to handle ground attack and electronic warfare
duties.
Sweden is describing the 39E as a "new aircraft" compared to the earlier JAS 39 models. There's some truth to that,
as the 39E is a little longer and heavier, but still looks like a Gripen, The 39E is full of more expensive, and capable,
electronics, but that's not obvious by just looking at the new model. The first 39E is expected to fly next year and
enter service in 2018.
Often regarded as an also-ran in the current crop of "modern jet fighters", the Swedish Gripen is proving to be more
competition than the major players (the F-16, F-18, F-35, Eurofighter, Rafale, MiG-29, and Su-27) expected. Put
simply, Gripen does a lot of little (but important) things right and costs about half as much (at about $35 million each)
as its major competitors.
More importantly, Gripen also costs about half as much, per flight hour, to operate. In effect, Gripen provides the
ruggedness and low cost of Russian aircraft with the high quality and reliability of Western aircraft. For many nations
this is an appealing combination. The Gripen is easy to use (both for pilots and ground crews) and capable of doing all
jet fighter jobs (air defense, ground support, and reconnaissance) well enough.
