Ukraine is preparing to receive Swedish Gripen, French Mirage, and American F-16 aircraft to strengthen its air capabilities in the face of Russian superiority.
Summary
Ukraine is embarking on a strategic transformation of its military aviation. According to Deputy Defense Minister Ivan Havryliuk, Kyiv is expecting Swedish Gripen C/D, French Mirage, and American F-16 aircraft in the near future. These deliveries, the details of which are still confidential, are expected to modernize a fleet that is currently largely composed of Soviet MiG-29 and Su-27 aircraft. The Gripen, known for its ability to operate from rudimentary runways and its low maintenance costs, is well suited to the Ukrainian context. The F-16s and Miras will add precision strike and beyond-visual-range combat capabilities. The challenge is to establish technological parity with Russian air superiority, strengthen the defense of critical infrastructure, and support ground operations. This transition will require a significant effort in training, maintenance, and infrastructure adaptation, but it represents a major turning point for Ukrainian aviation.
A military context marked by an urgent need for modernization
Since the start of the war, Ukraine has relied on fighter jets inherited from the USSR, mainly MiG-29s and Su-27s. These aircraft, designed in the 1980s, are now technically obsolete compared to Russian Su-35s and modern surface-to-air systems such as the S-400. Their aging avionics limit the use of precision-guided weapons, and their flight range remains inferior to that of Western aircraft.
The attrition suffered since 2022 has accentuated this obsolescence. Kyiv believes that only a modernized fleet can contain Russian strikes on infrastructure and civilian areas. Missile and drone strikes against Ukrainian energy networks have highlighted the vulnerability of air defense at short and medium range.
Ukraine’s requests for Western aircraft are therefore not only intended to compensate for losses, but also to change the balance of power. The integration of Gripen, Mirage, and F-16 aircraft represents a technical response to Russian air superiority and the need to support ground operations with more accurate and longer-range strikes.
The central role of Swedish Gripen aircraft
The Gripen C/D is a fourth-generation multi-role fighter aircraft developed by Saab and entered service in 1996. Originally designed for Swedish air defense, it is optimized to operate from dispersed and rudimentary airfields, sometimes sections of roads. This is a major advantage for a country like Ukraine, whose air bases are vulnerable to Russian strikes.
The aircraft weighs approximately 8,500 kg empty and can carry up to 5,300 kg of external loads, including air-to-air missiles, guided bombs, and additional fuel tanks. It is powered by a Volvo RM12 turbojet engine with a thrust of 80 kN, enabling it to reach Mach 2. Its PS-05/A radar and integrated electronic warfare systems provide modern detection and self-defense capabilities.
Another advantage of the Gripen is its low operating cost, estimated at €4,000 to €5,000 per flight hour, compared to more than €20,000 for some Western aircraft. This makes it a suitable choice for a country at war, where availability and sortie rate are as important as technical sophistication.
Complementarity with the Mirage and F-16
The French Mirage 2000-5 and American F-16C/D will complement the Gripen with their precision strike and long-range interception capabilities. The Mirage 2000-5, equipped with RDY radar and guided weapons such as MICA and AASM bombs, is effective against air and ground targets in contested environments.
The F-16, with more than 4,500 units produced, is widely used in NATO countries. This ubiquity ensures easier access to spare parts, training, and compatible munitions such as AMRAAM missiles or JDAM-ER bombs. The F-16 Block 50/52 can reach Mach 2 and carry over 7,000 kg of weapons.
The integration of a mixed fleet increases tactical flexibility. The Gripens can operate from dispersed airfields for air defense and close air support, while the F-16s and Mirages take on air superiority and strategic strike missions.
The challenges of integration and training
Introducing three types of Western aircraft represents a considerable logistical and operational challenge. Ukrainian pilots trained on MiG-29s or Su-27s must learn to master completely different weapons systems and avionics interfaces. Training an operational fighter pilot on a Gripen or F-16 takes an average of 8 to 12 months, not including learning NATO-integrated tactics.
Ground infrastructure will need to be adapted. Refueling, maintenance, and ammunition storage systems must be compatible with Western standards. The creation of logistics chains for the supply of spare parts, fuel, and specialized weapons is also a major undertaking.
However, Sweden has already demonstrated its ability to deploy Gripen aircraft in austere environments. Their rapid maintenance by small teams is an advantage for a country at war. Western partners are also considering training and maintenance centers in Eastern Europe to accelerate Ukraine’s transition.
The strategic impact on the balance of power
The deployment of Gripen, Mirage, and F-16 aircraft will not immediately give Ukraine air superiority, but it will gradually change the balance of power in the skies. These aircraft will enable Kyiv to conduct more effective interception and deep strike missions, defend its airspace against cruise missiles and drones, and better support its ground forces.
Their arrival could also force Russia to disperse its air and surface-to-air assets more widely to counter this new threat. In the long term, a modernized Ukrainian fleet will facilitate interoperability with NATO and reduce dependence on aging Soviet equipment.
However, the success of this transfer will depend on Ukraine’s ability to absorb these complex systems while continuing its daily operations. Experience shows that building up a new air fleet takes time and requires constant investment in training and technical support.
Economic and industrial consequences
This air modernization program will have significant economic effects. The cost of acquiring and supporting Western aircraft is high. For example, a used Gripen C/D is estimated to cost between €35 and €40 million, a modernized Mirage 2000-5 around €25 to €30 million, while a new F-16 Block 50/52 exceeds €55 million.
However, these costs must be put into perspective with the expected strategic benefits. Gradual standardization on Western platforms will give Ukraine access to more robust supply chains and more advanced ammunition, ultimately reducing the costs associated with maintaining obsolete Soviet equipment.
This program will also strengthen industrial partnerships between Ukraine and its allies, paving the way for transfers of expertise in aircraft maintenance and technical training.
A decisive step for the future of Ukrainian aviation
The announced arrival of the Gripen, Mirage, and F-16 marks a historic transition for Ukrainian aviation. It reflects a change in strategic approach: moving from reactive air defense to a modern offensive and deterrent capability.
This transformation could redefine Ukraine’s posture not only in the current conflict, but also in its future relationship with Europe and NATO. The rise of this Western fleet also sends a geopolitical signal: Kyiv is no longer content to survive with resources inherited from the past, but is building the foundations for an interoperable and sustainable combat aviation force.
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