Gripens to Ukraine is the best deal for all parties, except the incompetent Russians - the Ukrains getting the most effective jets and Saab/Sweden good PR when downing russian Potemkin planes. Slava Ukraine!
At this stage, the JAS 39 is needed first of all. It can take off from unprepared airfields, including specialized sections of the highway. It is light and economical and absolutely versatile. Further, at the second stage, when the airfields are more secure and the personnel are already familiar with NATO technology and systems, it will be possible to use the F-16 and even the F-35.
JAS is perfect for Ukraine. Sweden knows that Russia will knock out landing strips first. Any road stretch of 800 m will do as a temporary air base for JAS, with 6 maintenance personnel. Also, F-16 has a short range since the US does in flight refills. JAS has 3 times the range.
It´s not fair to compare yesterday's star with today's star. There are few fighters that can be compared with the F-16's importance in our history. F-16 ruled the skies until it didn´t anymore. In 2006 a Swedish Fighter SAAB Gripen JAS presented itself at the Red Flag. After that, the F-15s, the F16s, and even the F-18s more or less lose big every time there is a fight training against Sweden's JAS. You can find the information right here on the Internet that supports my words.
Don't forget the US sandbags in international trainings. It's a big deal even for US because US AF Generals are complaining that doing this doesn't teach our pilots the right way and is a waste of time.
Saab JAS-39 Gripen has a compelling point for Ukraine- robust, simple to operate, flexible. However, the GD/LM F-16 has the more established number and logistics availability including training. Either of the two will give UAF a much better capability on top of existing ones.
Their pilots won't get up to speed fast enough. It takes years to master a specific fighter. Sending novice F16 or Gripen pilots against veteran Russian pilots will be a disaster. It's better to give them more sams and manpads.
They have very experienced pilots who only need to learn how to operate a new airframe. Furthermore these pilots already have shown to be able to finish such a training in only 4 months.
I think the JAS-39 would be the best fighter to start with low cost and ease of maintenance would easily fit in Ukraine for the time being then in a year or 2 (God willing this will be over by then) start having the best grounds crews and pilots start training on the F-16, that way those who have the F-16s to give to Ukraine can bring them up to the standards that the US government requires for them, just like I think the tiger attack helicopter would also be the best fit for Ukraine right now and tobe honest the Germans Leppard tanks would also be a better fit mainly because of the ease of having spare parts available right away less down time foe a Abrams or challenger tanks, just my 2 cents on that issue I'm no military expert it's just based off of what rescurch I have been able to do
Ukraine can't afford any western fighter jets. The US should listen to France and have the independent EU provide Europe's protection. That way US taxpayers don't have to waste money & military resources providing protection for all of Europe.
Keep dreaming with all due respect to the F16 which requires 20 personnel for maintenance compared to the grip's 6. Feel free to look at the results from Red Flag and think a little. Maybe Swedes don't brag as much as Americans.
The US should get out of Ukraine. They shouldn't have meddled in their election, or started this war, which has been going on since Donetsk declared independence in 2014.
There are only losers in war. Historically speaking, Russia always overestimates its own ability at the beginning. Russia will regroup its logistics which have been sluggishly clumsy. The more we in the West provoke by helping Ukraine, the Russians will respond. We in the West are throwing our money at something that only brings protracted war. Then Ukraine expects us to rebuild their country with our money. Why get involved in something that makes no difference. It just costs money and lives.
