while #Poland and #Romania have only F16s as main aircraft for defense.
the #USA will not provide aircraft, and the other countries in the world with F16, well, they don't care about #Ukraine (except #SouthKorea but they are on another frontline)
I have no doubts whatsoever that Sweden's #Gripen is the best aircraft type for Ukraine's immediate needs - as good as F-16 in flight and avionics, much more maintainable, designed for dispersed operations by a tiny crew, and able to use the European long range Meteor air-to-air missile. But does #Ukraine still have capacity to take it on, given most of the air force is in one way or another training for the F-16? https://www.kyivpost.com/post/28718
Today, we had a largish raid group of 11+ to take on an #OriginFormePalkia in - it turned out to be a good raid.
Just for fun, my strongest ditto was backing up my mega salamence who was in #1 position. Turns out that the ditto's shapeshift did not cancel out my salamance's mega form which was a happy surprise 😁
The country being referred to is the #Philippines, we're reportedly going for the #Gripen E/F instead. That leaves, potentially, eight Gripen C/D fighters for #Ukraine now that #Sweden is joining #NATO.
"Reportedly, 12 Gripen C/Ds were produced in Switzerland a few years ago in the hope of commercial success, but the country did not opt for this type, so #Hungary could instead receive four of these #Gripens." #JAS39Gripen#Gripens4UA
Czechia is in talks with Sweden about training Ukrainian pilots on Gripen fighter jets on its territory, Radio Prague International reported on Sept. 22, citing the Czech defense minister.
Reports in Sweden say that the country’s government is considering sending Swedish-manufactured Gripen jets to the Ukrainians to aid in their fight against Russia – adding another dimension to Nordic and Baltic involvement in the war.
The internationally renowned Gripen jets have capabilities that Ukraine badly needs in its counteroffensive against Russia.
Ukrainian pilots have successfully tested Swedish Gripen fighter jets as Stockholm is considering sending the planes to Ukraine, Swedish Radio reported on Sept. 14, citing the country's Defense Minister Pål Jonson.
The Swedish government will instruct the country's military to investigate the possibility of sending Gripen fighter jets to Ukraine, the Swedish Radio's news service Ekot reported on Sept. 12.
The Gripen would suit Ukraine nicely. Fighting the Russian air force in a highly contested airspace was the role it was built for.
Doesn't need big airbases, just a straight bit of asphalt road out in the countryside.
"#LONDON, #UnitedKingdom– Lloyd’s of #London underwriters are leading insurers in raising rates and cutting the amount of cover they offer for risks involving #Taiwan as concerns grow over possible military action by #China, industry sources with knowledge of the matter say."
"Speaking at a joint news conference with Swedish Prime Minister #UlfKristersson in Harpsund, about 90 kilometers (56 miles) west of #Stockholm, #Zelensky said that test flights with Ukrainian pilots had already begun." #UkraineWar#JAS39
It's a no go - for now. Nicely timed, being announced after #Denmark & the #Netherlands committed to donating #F16's to #Ukraine.
#Sweden’s prime minister, #UlfKristersson, said on Monday that Sweden needs #Gripen planes for its own defence, noting that the country’s bid to join Nato has not been finalised. #UkraineWar
"Deliberately grounded on a tiny reef in the #SouthChinaSea, part of an island chain claimed by the two Asian countries, the #BRPSierraMadre is now the unlikely base for a detachment of Filipino marines who stand guard over the atoll, scanning the turquoise waters for Chinese ships." #AyunginShoal#SecondThomasShoal#Philippines
Linking the Philippine Air Force Saab #Gripen multi-role fighter (MRF) thread to the #WestPHSea thread. There is a strong possibility the #Philippines will be getting more than 14 MRF's (12 Gripen C & 2 Gripen D) since that number won't be enough to cover our #EEZ (Exclusive Economic Zone).
Note that the PAF was also considering getting F16's from the US though that proved too expensive for the original budget. Delivery time was longer than the Gripen's too.
I stumbled upon the Reddit discussion below & translated the quoted Swedish article on the SEK 11.74B (krona)/ USD 1.13B/PHP 63B (peso) recent arms sale to a "secret country".
To wrap this #Brahmos minithread up, the sole reason why the #Philippines is even considering acquiring the #HalTejas is that the Brahmos-NG (New Generation) is coming soon. Among the improvements is a substantial decrease in weight which enables a light combat aircraft (#LCA) like the #Tejas to carry two of them.
Minister: Czechia wants to train Ukrainian pilots on Gripen jets (kyivindependent.com)
Czechia is in talks with Sweden about training Ukrainian pilots on Gripen fighter jets on its territory, Radio Prague International reported on Sept. 22, citing the Czech defense minister.
Ukrainian pilots successfully test Swedish Gripen jets (kyivindependent.com)
Ukrainian pilots have successfully tested Swedish Gripen fighter jets as Stockholm is considering sending the planes to Ukraine, Swedish Radio reported on Sept. 14, citing the country's Defense Minister Pål Jonson.
Media: Sweden to consider sending Gripen fighter jets to Ukraine (kyivindependent.com)
The Swedish government will instruct the country's military to investigate the possibility of sending Gripen fighter jets to Ukraine, the Swedish Radio's news service Ekot reported on Sept. 12.