Saab Gripen JAS 39: The very manoeuvrable multi-role fighter jet that can land on roads
The Saab Gripen JAS 39, a multi-role fighter jet, is currently used by several air forces, including Czechia, Hungary and South Africa.
Prague's air force has been flying this supersonic jet for more than two decades, and it is involved in Nato's Quick Reaction Alert (QRA).
A QRA response involves a fighter jet taking off as quickly as possible to investigate an infringement of a Nato country's airspace or area of interest.
Aircraft knows its limits
BFBS Forces News spoke to Captain Jan Ratz from 211 Squadron in the Czech air force about the aircraft and the advantages of using it at the Farnborough International Airshow.
"We have always like three jets in 15 minutes ready to scramble if something happens in the air," he said, standing in front of the aircraft.
"We also do some air policing stuff if needed, so we've been deployed to Iceland or to the Baltics."
The agile and highly capable Gripen is very manoeuvrable.
"So, I can basically pull the stick to the maximum and the aircraft knows its limits," Capt Ratz added.
"I don't have to think about these limits; the aircraft will control itself and gives me the maximum it has for the parameters I have at the moment and for the configuration I have at the moment."
The aircraft is also cost-effective as it is the cheapest to operate per hour among all Nato jets.
It can also be flown from dispersed air bases like ordinary roads, as demonstrated when Sweden's air force practised landing the fighter jet on a road near Gothenburg two years ago.
"They're all designed to be easy to maintain, to make short turnaround times with as low demand on the ground personnel as possible," he explained.
"One big capability is [that it can] use like short runways, even though it needs to be paved, but short runways, improvised conditions. I think that's a pretty big advantage of this aircraft."
What are the attributes of the different models?
Six nations use the Gripen C/D models, including Thailand, and the UK has acquired the type for training purposes at the Empire Test Pilots' School.
The Gripen JAS 39C/D can be deployed in multiple roles, such as air-to-air, air-to-surface, and reconnaissance.
The aircraft, which can be refuelled in mid-air, is highly adaptable in its weaponry, as it can carry various weapon systems from the US and Europe, which include air-to-surface missiles and guided bombs.
In May, it was announced that Ukraine will receive 16 Swedish Gripen aircraft and purchase 20 more through an EU support loan scheme to strengthen its air power.
Stockholm will deliver the older model C/D jets to Kyiv next year as a temporary solution.
"Gripen is the best and optimal choice for Ukraine," Sweden's prime minister Ulf Kristersson said.
The new jets, models E and F, are expected to be delivered to Kyiv starting in 2030.
The Gripen JAS 39E/F, which has a slightly longer turnaround than the C/D model (15-25 minutes), is built for advanced electronic warfare and combines AI to help the pilot decide on their course of action during operations.
The newer model can carry up to seven Meteor long-range air-to-air missiles as well as a couple of IRIS-T missiles.
Additional reporting by Tim Cooper.
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