Another squadron of Swedish made supersonic, multirole Jas-39 Gripen/Griffin is the next generation of jet fighter aircraft being considered by the Philippine Air Force (PAF) to acquire.

The JAS 39 Gripen/Griffin is a light single-engine multirole fighter aircraft made by Swedish aerospace company Saab. It has a delta wing and canard configuration with relaxed stability design and fly-by-wire flight controls.

For a single seater, it is powered by the Volvo RM12, and for a two-seat aircraft design referred to as Gripen NG or Super-JAS is powered by General Electric F414G.

Gripen has a top speed of Mach 2. Capable of carrying 6.5 tons of weapons. It’s worth approximately USD60 million compared to USD30 million worth FA-50 each.

“We are hoping that we will soon acquire our first modern fighter aircraft,  next to the newly acquired one squadron of Korean made fighting eagle FA-50PH aircraft,” Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin said as reported by the government-owned Philippine News Agency.

According to sources, Gripen is the future modern fighter jets for the Philippine Air Force.

“Gripen represents the ultimate in operational efficiency capable of fulfilling a range of roles, either alone or as part of a wider defense network,” SAAB said.

globalassets-commercial-air-gripen-fighter-system-39c-day_
Jas-39 Gripen-fighter cockpit

It also says that Gripen is “the world’s most agile fighter in close combat and  also difficult to match in any air combat situation.

SAAB has incorporated a state-of-the-art weapon system as Gripen has a look-down/shoot-down capability in air combat in engaging aircraft, missiles, and even the smallest, low-flying targets.

Gripen is a true multirole fighter, designed as such from the very beginning. This means it can perform missions in all the three roles: air-to-air, air-to-surface and reconnaissance. It can change role while airborne, and it can even act in multiple roles simultaneously. This simultaneous capability is likely to grow over time, as the Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar and other systems are further developed.

Gripen has stable, affordable acquisition and low life cycle costs. This gives air forces a reliable basis on which to budget for operations and fleet sustainment over the long term. Gripen’s inherent reliability and low maintenance footprint boost force levels and operational effectiveness.

Photo credited to Saab

It can take-off and land in short runways, cost-effective, tailor-made and top-of-the-line aircraft comparable to the world’s best.

Representatives from Gripen were in Manila last month to participate in the annual PAF symposium held at the Mall of Asia in the suburban Pasay City. They said they would be happy to sell in the Philippines the multi-role Gripen fighter jets. – Carl E.

Watch “Jas 39 Gripen fighter jet” in combat situation.

SHARE

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR

19 COMMENTS

  1. Shouldn’t we opt for the American Aircrafts, incase of an event of war or even a quasi state of war, Shouldn’t we go for the tech that can be maintained and supplied by our closest Ally the United States. The pacific is the best supply line we can have, if we do (I hope not, God be willing) happen to be in war with China, NK and Russia.

  2. PARA SA MGA ORRUPT NA MILITARY. SINO ANG BOBOMBAHIN. PAG NASIRA O NALUMA NA? BIBILI NA NAMAN. MAY PERA SA PAMBOMBA WALA SA MEDICINA, SA PABAHAY, SA EDUKASYON, SA PAGGAWA NG SARILING BARCO. AFPWE GAGO. PAGGAWA NG TRAIN.

    • pabahay???tanong bat kasi lahat dito sa manila ang punta tapos pag naghirap sabihin pinabayaan ng gobyerno???utak biya??

    • Pabahay??? Lumayas kayo dito sa Metro Manila! Mga Squatter kayo! Bumalik kayo ng probinsya! Dapat sa inyong mga squatter inuubos eh…

    • BAKIT KA NAGTATYPE NG PAGANITO? SA TINGIN MO BA MAY MAGAGAWA ANG CAPS LOCK MO? WAG MO KAMI IDAMAY KUNG GUSTO MO LANG MA SAKOP KA NG IBANG BANSA

  6. If the Php 11 billion budget for the procurement of 4 units of Jas 39 Gripen is already approved, DND must push through the acquisition of this project so that PAF defense credibility in our airspace will be boosted. JAS 39 Gripen has greater survivability due to its ECM jamming pods to jam enemy radars and it can do multi-mission roles. Plus the fact, if US will grant a loan to our government for 1 squadron (12 units) of F-16V multirole aircraft, so with this acquisition including Israeli built new radars, Chinese intruders will hesitate to engage.

  7. Wishful thinking again. Unless the Philippine Air force fixed wing fighters are equipped with a full complement of AIM-120D AMRAAM and AIM-9L Sidewinders, they will be easy target practice for even the aging PLAN J-10 fighters. Only the uninformed, naive and uneducated are “moved” by such a purchase. Pang yabang lang yan pero wala namang ibubuga. Wala kaseng modernong missiles na makakapabagsak ng mga fighter aircraft ng People’s Republic of China. Katulad ng mga “frigates” ng Philippine Navy, walang over-the-horizon anti-ship capability. A smaller PLAN Type 056 Corvette is armed with YJ-83 missiles. Philippine Navy frigates and corvettes should have SM-6, Naval Strike Missile or Harpoon missiles. Otherwise, they will just be easy targets for the enemy.

  8. 82B USD Reserves. if Cebu Pacific and PAL can buy 100 planes,the Phil’s certainly can buy 20 of these that would cost a mere 1.2B USD. We need these type of modern fighter jets to give our pilots a decent chance against foreign aggressors .

  10. Why bother? Those aircraft already are worn out & have structural flaws due to years of hard use. Besides, those F-16s are going to be obsolete soon enough. Why not get the Gripen NG? It’s relatively new, it’s being flown by Thailand, & Saab is offering a good deal on it, which includes parts, components and such, just like with Thailand. What’s more, they’re BRAND NEW, meaning NO structural flaws such as microfracturing that could rip the wings of the fighter in a high G maneuver. Also, the Gripen’s components are compatible with the Lockheed/KAI FA-50 Golden Eagle being fielded by the Air Farce, ooops, Air Force. The Gripen even has a shorter take-off & landing run than the F-16 & can operate from rough dirt strips, like what’s in South Africa, which also flies the Gripen.

  12. Foreget the upgrading of our Air Force. Let’s just settle for ‘hand me down’ from US. We just don’t have money for that. Better to use the money for infrastructure. We have the lowest number of operational combat jets. Just 8 FA-50 trainer, converted to fighter jet. Better if we ordered propeller driven airplane. It’s cheaper than jet, and use it against counter insurgencies.

Comments are closed.