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<ul class="summary-list"><li>Analysts believe Pakistan may be arming its JF-17 fighters with nuclear-armed cruise missiles.</li><li>Suspicions the JF-17 could be armed with nuclear missiles were speculative until a recent photo.</li></ul>The nuclear balance of terror between America and Russia, and now also America and China, attracts the most concern about an atomic apocalypse. But the simmering conflict between India and Pakistan — both of which are nuclear powers — is no less dangerous.Now there are indications that Pakistan is arming its <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/china-pakistan-jf17-may-be-most-widely-operated-combat-jet-2022-11">JF-17 fighters</a> with nuclear-capable cruise missiles. The JF-17s are replacing older French-made Mirage jets that Pakistan has tasked for nuclear strike missions, according to the <a target="_blank" href="https://fas.org/publication/pakistan-jf17-aircraft-nuclear-potential/">Federation of American Scientists</a>."These developments, along with heightened tensions in the region, have raised concerns about accelerated arms racing as well as new risks for escalation in a potential conflict between India and Pakistan, especially since India is also increasing the size and improving the capabilities of its nuclear arsenal," wrote FAS analyst Eliana Johns.Not surprisingly given Pakistan's secretiveness over its nuclear program, the evidence for nuclear-armed JF-17s is somewhat circumstantial. Pakistan's current nuclear strike aircraft are the 1960s-vintage Mirage V, armed with nuclear bombs, and the Mirage III, which has been tested with the Ra'ad cruise missile, which can be armed with nuclear or conventional warheads. And a JF-17 in flight was recently photographed carrying what appears to be a Ra'ad missile.However, the Pakistani Air Force has at least 130 of the JF-17 Thunder, a <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/azerbaijan-snubbed-russia-fighter-jets-for-competitors-turkey-pakistan-2024-3">joint project</a> between Pakistan and China that created a fighter <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/china-arms-sales-may-get-boost-from-russia-war-ukraine-2023-7">that is equivalent</a> to the US F-16 (Pakistan also operates 75 F-16s). The aircraft, designated the FC-1 Xiaolong ("Fierce Dragon") in Chinese service, first flew in 2003.Suspicions that the JF-17 would be armed with Ra'ad missiles were mostly speculative, until a photo surfaced recently. "During rehearsals for the 2023 Pakistan Day Parade (which was subsequently canceled), an image surfaced of a JF-17 Thunder Block II carrying what was reported to be a Ra'ad ALCM," according to FAS. "Notably, this was the first time such a configuration had been observed in public."The Federation of American Scientists "was able to purchase the original image," and compared the Ra'ad mounted on the JF-17 with previous images. One question was which version of the Ra'ad had been fitted to the JF-17. The <a target="_blank" href="https://missilethreat.csis.org/missile/hatf-8/">Ra'ad</a> I (also known as the Hatf-8) is a subsonic air-launched cruise missile with an estimated range of more than 200 miles, and corresponds to other models such as the Europe's Storm Shadow, according to the CSIS Missile Threat defense site. The newer Ra'ad II reportedly has a range of almost 400 miles. Pakistan is also developing the Taimoor, an anti-ship version of the Ra'ad.Using tools such as Photoshop Vanishing Point to analyze the images, FAS concluded that JF-17 had been armed with the older Ra'ad I. If true, this would put numerous targets within western and northern India within range of nuclear or conventional cruise missiles."There are several air bases in Pakistan located near the border," Johns told Business Insider. "The aircraft would be able to scramble and fly to dispersal bases within Pakistan's borders to get closer to potential targets inside India at a range of 350 to 600 kilometers if desired."There is still considerable uncertainty about the exact capabilities of the Ra'ad. "Observing the differences between the Ra'ad-I and Ra'ad-II missiles raises a few questions," FAS noted. "How was Pakistan able to nearly double the range of the Ra'ad from an estimated 350 kilometers to 550 kilometers and then to 600 kilometers for the newest version without noticeably changing the size of the missile to carry more fuel? The answer could possibly be that the Ra'ad-II engine design is more efficient, the construction components are made from lighter-weight materials or the payload has been reduced."Thus for now, Pakistan's air-launched cruise missile capability will remain a mystery. It is "unclear whether either of the Ra'ad systems has been deployed, but this may only be a question of when rather than if," FAS said. "Once deployed, it remains to be seen if Pakistan will also continue to retain a nuclear gravity bomb capability for its aircraft or transition to stand-off cruise missiles only."And though the JF-17 is a joint Sino-Pakistani aircraft, Johns doubts that China will try to restrain Pakistan from modifying it into a nuclear strike aircraft. "China and Pakistan have enjoyed economic and technical partnership for a long time," Johns said. "It is suspected that Pakistan received a blueprint for its first nuclear device from China. The JF-17s were not built for a nuclear mission in the Chinese air force. Nonetheless, Pakistan seems to be preparing it for this capability since the Mirage III and V aircraft are aging."Pakistan's main delivery system for its <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/countries-with-nuclear-weapons-2017-11">estimated 170 nuclear weapons </a>will continue to be ballistic missiles, which include at least six models of road-mobile rockets. But extending the range of Pakistani aerial nuclear weapons will only exacerbate the potential for nuclear war. Both Pakistan and India are already developing multiple warhead, or MIRV, versions of their ballistic missiles, and Pakistan is working on short-range, dual-use ballistic missiles. India and Pakistan have fought four wars — and numerous border clashes — since the Indian subcontinent was partitioned in 1947. In 2019, Pakistan made veiled <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/pakistan-clings-to-nukes-after-embarrassing-air-strikes-by-india-2019-2">nuclear threats</a> after Indian aircraft bombed Kashmiri militant bases in Pakistan."This context presents an even greater need for transparency and understanding about the quality and intentions behind states' nuclear programs to prevent mischaracterization and misunderstanding," Johns concluded.Michael Peck is a defense writer whose work has appeared in Forbes, Defense News, Foreign Policy magazine, and other publications. He holds an MA in political science from Rutgers Univ. Follow him on <a target="_blank" href="https://www.twitter.com/@mipeck1">Twitter</a> and <a target="_blank" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/mipeck/">LinkedIn</a>.

Pakistan's JF-17 Thunder fighters may carry nuclear-armed missiles 

<ul><li>The maiden trial launch of the Nirbhay Indigenous Technology Cruise Missile (ITCM) was scheduled to take place around 10:30 am today. </li><li>However, the launch was cancelled due to a ‘<keyword id="98490" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="technical-snag">technical snag</keyword>.’</li><li>The upgraded Nirbhay subsonic cruise missile comes with a new short turbofan engine and an advanced radio frequency seeker. </li></ul>After seven successful missile trials in September, India was scheduled to launch one more today — the Indigenous Technology Cruise Missile (ITCM). However, the launch was cancelled due to a ‘technical snag.’ “The <keyword id="6355142" type="DEFINITION" weightage="20" keywordseo="DRDO">DRDO</keyword> is analysing all the details,” a source told PTI. The test is happening at a time when India is locked in a stand off against China along the border in Eastern Ladakh. Several Nirbhay missiles have reportedly already been deployed in the region where two Asian giants are disputing over the Line of Actual Control (LAC). A new kind of subsonic cruise missile The ITCM is an upgraded version of the subsonic cruise missile Nirbhay, India's first indigenously developed cruise missile. The new missile has been fitted with advanced software and more indigenous systems — including a short turbofan engine and an advanced radio frequency seeker, according to <a href="https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/odisha/2020/oct/11/india-likely-to-conduct-maiden-test-of-indigenous-technology-cruise-missile-on-october-12-2208832.html">The New Indian Express.</a> The turbofan engine dubbed Manik has been developed by Gas Turbine Research Establishment, while the radio frequency seeker has been produced by the Research Centre Imarat. Even though the earlier version of Nirbhay has a strike range of 800 kilometres (kms) 1,000 kms, the navigation area warning is issued for a range of around 400 kms for ICTM’s test. <div type="twitter" handle="detresfa_" handlename="d-atis☠️" image="http://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1311010493943836672/dK91G5ga_normal.jpg" favoritecount="714" retweetcount="131" status="#Areawarning #India issues a notification regarding &quot;Launch of Experimental Flight Vehicle&quot; in the #BayOfBengal are… https://t.co/B3ML2v9KBa" createdat="1601625112000" id="1311936927029956609"></div> Developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), the new cruise missile will supplement the Indo-Russian joint venture supersonic cruise missile BrahMos. The DRDO has already carried out several successful trials of the 'Nirbhay' missile since October 2014. It is capable of being deployed from multiple platforms and can travel as fast at Mach 0.8 — faster than the speed of sound. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/science/space/news/china-launches-earth-observation-satellite-amid-border-tensions-with-india/articleshow/78613147.cms">China launches Earth observation satellite amid border tensions with India</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/massive-power-cut-reported-across-mumbai-discom-points-finger-at-tatas/articleshow/78613787.cms">Massive power cut across Mumbai due to grid failure —electricity restored in certain areas</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/policy/economy/news/sitharaman-offers-states-12000-crore-interest-free-for-the-next-50-years-if-they-can-spend-it-on-capital-projects-by-march-2021/articleshow/78616741.cms">Sitharaman offers states ₹12,000 crore interest-free for the next 50 years if they can spend it on capital projects by March 2021</a>

ITCM Nirbhay missile's maiden launch cancelled due to 'technical snag'

India today successfully test-fired its nuclear-capable cruise missile <keyword id="275196" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Nirbhay">Nirbhay</keyword>, which means fearless, from the <keyword id="2561552" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Integrated-Missile-Test-Range">Integrated Missile Test Range</keyword> located in <keyword id="58580" type="CITY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Chandipur">Chandipur</keyword>, Odisha. 

	 The state-of-the-art missile, which has been developed by the <keyword id="152819" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Defence-Research-and-Development-Organisation">Defence Research and Development Organisation</keyword> (<keyword id="6355142" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="DRDO">DRDO</keyword>), is India's answer to America's Tomahawk and Pakistan's Babur. The launch comes days after <keyword id="2548117" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Cyclone-Hudhud">Cyclone Hudhud</keyword> hit the state's coastal region. 

	The Nirbhay is very manoeuvrable and can fly at tree-top level, making it difficult to detect on radar. Notably, the missile strikes targets located more than 700 km away, making India the capable to strike deep into enemy territory.
 

	It is worth noting that once India's own satellite navigation fleet is fully deployed, cruise missiles will start using signals from the country's space system.
 The Nirbhay has a wing and pronounced tail fins unlike other ballistic missiles like the <keyword id="6472480" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Agni">Agni</keyword>. It launches like a missile and in early flight the small wings get deployed. The sub-sonic missile then flies like an aircraft and can even hover near the target. 

	During its first flight on March 12, 2013, the Nirbhay had to be terminated because as it deviated from its course after launch. As the missile went off its flight trajectory, its engine was cut off to bring it down to ensure coastal safety. Then, the Nirbhay fell near the coast and the DRDO said no one was injured.
 

	This missile also gives India the capacity to launch different kinds of payloads at different ranges from various platforms at a very low cost. 
	(Image: DRDO)

India Successfully Test-fires N-capable Cruise Missile Nirbhay

<div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table float_right"><div><div class="image on-image"></div></div></div>India has successfully conducted a test-launch of a nuclear-capable cruise missile that has a range of over 620 miles. 
The Nirbhay subsonic cruise missile is India's first long-range missile to be built and designed inside the country. India's <keyword id="6354810" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="100" keywordseo="Defense">Defense</keyword> Research and Development Organization (DRDO) claims that the missile launch was a massive success and that the missile will fill a critical role within India's defensive capabilities.
"The missile maintained an accuracy better than 10 metres throughout its path and covered more than 1000 kms," <a href="http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/india-test-fires-indigenously-developed-sub-sonic-cruise-missile-nirbhay/articleshow/44845851.cms">said</a> Avinash Chander, the scientific advisor of the DRDO, in a press release after the launch. "The successful indigenous development of the Nirbhay cruise missile will fill a vital gap in the war-fighting capabilities of our armed forces."
According to NDTV, the Nirbhay will <a href="http://www.ndtv.com/article/cheat-sheet/india-s-cruise-missile-nirbhay-10-must-know-facts-608102">function</a> as India's answer to America's Tomahawk and Pakistan's Babur missiles. With a range of up to 1,000 km (620 miles), and a capability to carry nuclear warheads, the missile could be used by India as a deterrent against its nuclear-armed rival Pakistan.
The Nirbhay <a href="http://rusnavy.com/news/othernavies/index.php?ELEMENT_ID=13620">can be launched</a> from multiple platforms, and different variants are expected to be adopted by India's Navy, Army, and Air Force. The Nirbhay is <a href="http://rusnavy.com/news/othernavies/index.php?ELEMENT_ID=13620">expected to replace </a>India's previous cruise missile, the Brahmos, which was co-developed with Russia. 
India's development of a long-range, nuclear-capable cruise missile comes within the context of ongoing tensions along the country's various disputed borders. India and Pakistan have <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/oct/09/india-warns-pakistan-pay-heavy-price-shelling-kashmir">exchanged artillery fire</a> over the disputed region of Kashmir this month, leading to tens of thousands of residents being evacuated and India threatening further measures against its northern neighbor.
India is also likely worried about <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/china-has-slowly-been-eating-away-at-india-2014-9">Chinese attempts to move into disputed territory in the Himilayas</a>. China, meanwhile, is developing its own advanced missile capabilities, including <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/hypersonic-weapons-arm-race-2014-9">boost-glide supersonic weapons</a> and ballistic missiles capable of carrying <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/chinas-worrying-new-weapons-2014-8">multiple nuclear warheads</a>.
The Nirbhay is just the latest piece of evidence that India is serious about keeping pace with its regional rivals - last year, the country was <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/india-is-the-worlds-largest-arms-importer-2014-6">the largest arms-importer in the world</a>.

India Just Successfully Tested A Nuclear-Capable Cruise Missile

<div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image">ReutersRepublican presidential candidate Donald Trump speaks on the USS Iowa in San Pedro, Los Angeles, California, United States September 15, 2015.</div></div></div><ul><li>President Donald Trump on Monday signed into law a $717 billion <keyword id="6354810" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="defense">defense</keyword> spending bill that puts China directly in the crosshairs of a host of new US Navy missiles and tactics.</li><li>The US Navy will get new, longer range missiles to outgun China's missiles, which can get clean shots on US ships well before US missiles have them in range.</li><li>The US used to have missiles for long-range ship sinking, but abandoned them at the end of the Cold War. The new spending bill marks their return and the return to preparing for fights with big navies.</li><li>The US Navy also has some new tactics in store for China, which hopes to align the region against its aspirations of hegemony. </li></ul>President Donald Trump on Monday signed into law a $717 billion defense spending bill that puts China directly in the crosshairs of a host of new US Navy missiles and tactics.Beijing heavily protested the defense bill, and <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/trump-axes-zte-restrictions-chin-before-signing-defense-spending-bill-2018-8" target="_blank" rel="noopener">may have scored some small concessions</a>, but the bill puts nearly a trillion US dollars behind the idea that great power strategic competition has returned, and the US seeks to win it. The increase in spending comes at a time when China has increasingly edged out the US Navy's competitive advantage in open waters. <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/missile-gap-us-navy-russia-china-lrasm-2017-3" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The US suffers a missile gap with both Russia and China</a>, meaning those countries have longer range missiles that can potentially sink massively valuable platforms like aircraft carriers before they're even in range. The US drifted from focus on fighting near-peer adversaries like China and Russia after the Cold War, as military planners banked on continued US supremacy to limit potential adversaries to non-state actors and rogue states.But with the new defense bill comes a <a href="https://www.armed-services.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/FY19%20NDAA%20Conference%20Summary1.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">renewed focus on producing as many new missiles as possible</a> to counter the high-end threats from those countries. China's YJ-18 and YJ-12 each can fly over 240 miles just meters above the surface of the ocean. When the YJ-18 gets close to the target, it jolts into <a href="http://www.andrewerickson.com/2015/10/chinas-new-yj-18-antiship-cruise-missile-capabilities-and-implications-for-u-s-forces-in-the-western-pacific/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">supersonic speed, at about Mach 3</a>. When the YJ-12, also supersonic, approaches a target, it <a href="https://warontherocks.com/2014/07/chinas-most-dangerous-missile-so-far/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">executes a corkscrew turn</a> to evade <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/this-precision-weapon-is-the-navys-last-line-of-defense-2016-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">close-in ship defenses</a>.Russia's anti-ship Club missiles can reach <a href="http://nationalinterest.org/feature/bull%E2%80%99s-eye-the-5-most-deadly-anti-ship-missiles-all-time-12411" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">186 miles</a> and boosts into supersonic speeds when nearing a target.The US Navy's Harpoon missile is subsonic and <a href="http://www.navy.mil/navydata/fact_display.asp?cid=2200&amp;tid=200&amp;ct=2" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">travels just 77 miles</a>. Simply put, these missiles would chew up a US carrier strike group, with destroyers and cruisers protecting an aircraft carrier. Launching F/A-18s off a carrier could out-range and beat back a Russian or Chinese attack, but the missile gap remains palpable and a threat to the US Navy's highest-value assets.<h2>Return to ship sinking</h2><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image">Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Apprentice Samuel Souvannason/US NavyUS Navy submariners load a Tomahawk cruise missile onto a sub.</div></div></div>To regain its status as the premier ship-sinking force in the world the US has planned a few upgrades and set aside cash for them in the defense bill. The bill will pay for new long-range missiles for the Air Force and some Navy planes, but also bring back a missile abandoned by the Navy after the fall of the Soviet Union. Today, Tomahawk missiles have a massive range of around 1,000 miles, but they can only hit land targets, as they famously have in Syria recently. In the prime of the Cold War, Tomahawks could strike moving ships, and now the Navy seeks to get that power back. A modification in the works at Raytheon seeks to deliver 32 maritime versions of the Tomahawks by 2021, which would healthily out-range any Russian or Chinese missiles. "This is potentially a game-changing capability for not a lot of cost. It's a 1,000-mile anti-ship cruise missile," Bob Work, the deputy secretary of defense, said after a successful test of the upgraded Tomahawk in 2015, <a href="https://news.usni.org/2015/02/10/west-bob-work-calls-navys-anti-surface-tomahawk-test-game-changing" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">USNI News reported at the time</a>. "It can be used by practically our entire surface and submarine fleet."<h2>Full court press</h2><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/usnavy/5506117357/in/photolist-eBRz96-eBS71e-eRJvNo-cvFW7U-qKd2p3-aD1JkD-eBRFXa-eBSgGp-adyHMV-gRv9Dh-ckrQBY-cuxJQE-f1dkZc-btdfEY-9oyhRT-mfDQa2-nUJvpY-dUjpmu-gXNdtE-eRxeog-cwfq8j-ayB3Lc-muP7wD-cvFW5C-eBVUhd-cktc1u-dx2RAY-dcbFLe-dcbFKa-dcbGqh-dcbFDr-dcbGzj-dx2RYL-adhMmX-dwWn3P-hnyB3d-bG85Cn-dx2RKy-nkToW1-avu5ZN-btGLYZ-avu2UL-abQYgU-bScU68-bDiby7-bDibus-chyZK3-avrouT-a64uAY-9DVuAh">US Navy</a>The aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68), the guided-missile cruiser USS Chosin (CG 65), the guided-missile destroyers USS Sampson (DDG 102) and USS Pinkney (DDG 91), and the guided-missile frigate USS Rentz (FFG 46) operate in formation in the South China Sea. </div></div></div>But not only will the Navy get increased power to fight adversaries like China, it's scheduling in some more patrols that could lead to run-ins, as have become increasingly frequent. With Beijing building up its military presence in the South China Sea and rolling out new warships at a dizzying rate, the US's return to great power competition will also include training neighboring navies in India and Sri Lanka.Meanwhile, <a href="http://uk.businessinsider.com/us-south-china-sea-dispute-military-exercise-2018-5" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Beijing will remain excluded from RIMPAC</a>, the world's largest naval exercise, until it stops its efforts to take control of the South China Sea. <div class="margin-top"> <h3>NOW WATCH: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/black-klansman-cop-infiltrated-kkk-spike-lee-ron-stallworth-2018-8">How a black cop infiltrated the KKK - the true story behind Spike Lee's 'BlacKkKlansman'</a></h3> <div> </div> </div>

The US Navy just got the green light to stick it to China with game-changing new missiles

<ul class="summary-list"><li>The Saab JAS 39 Gripen fighter jet has earned high marks for its capabilities and affordability.</li><li>But buyers have often passed on the Gripen in favor of other jets, including the US-made F-35.</li></ul>As Russia's beleaguered air force continues to launch attacks in Ukraine, Kyiv finds itself in need of air assets, including new fighter aircraft.The best jet for Ukraine is the Gripen, a <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/swedens-jas39-gripen-may-be-worlds-best-nonstealth-fighter-jet-2021-11" target="_blank" rel="noopener">4.5th-generation multirole fighter jet</a> built by Sweden's Saab and which is "by far the most suitable candidate in terms of operational requirements," according to Justin Bronk, Nick Reynolds, and Jack Watling of the Royal United Services Institute, a British think tank.Ukraine needs a fighter with missiles that offer "the greatest possible effective range under low-altitude, subsonic launch conditions" in order to bypass <a href="https://www.sandboxx.us/blog/how-effective-is-russias-nebo-m-counter-stealth-radar/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Russian air defenses</a>, including its S-400 missile system, which can target Ukrainian jets at higher altitudes, <a href="https://static.rusi.org/SR-Russian-Air-War-Ukraine-web-final.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">the three experts said</a> in a recent report.<div type="image" title="A Saab JAS 39C Gripen jet performs during an aerial show in Eslov in this June 5, 2011 file photo. REUTERS/Johan Nilsson/TT News Agency/Files" height="544" width="800" msid="95924490" hostid="261" sizebytes="12438"></div>The Gripen can carry the Meteor air-to-air missile, which is effective in those conditions thanks to its ramjet design and has a <a href="https://www.airforce-technology.com/projects/meteor-beyond-visual-range-air-air-missile/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">100 km range</a>, allowing it to be fired from safer distances. The jet can also be outfitted with anti-ship missiles.The Gripen has a suite of electronic-warfare capabilities specifically designed to reduce the effectiveness of the radars used by Russia's jets and surface-to-air-missile systems.Additionally, as Ukrainian airstrips and airbases remain under threat from Russian long-range missiles, Kyiv needs a jet that can operate from shorter, more rudimentary airstrips and from basic airbases with smaller ground crews in order to minimize the risk of the jets being detected and destroyed on the ground.<div type="image" title="Czech Republic JAS-39 Gripen" height="1364" width="2000" msid="95924492" hostid="261" sizebytes="93624"></div>The Gripen was "designed from the outset for ease of maintenance" and for operating from secondary or improvised airfields, according to the report, which noted that the Gripen can be refueled, "re-armed and given basic maintenance by teams of just six ground crew using two vehicles on small airbases or highways in cold weather."Only one member of that crew needs to be highly trained, which would ease the strain on Ukraine's already overstretched air force, while most US fighter jets require extensive ground support equipment, which "would be difficult to build without being observed and hit" by Russian strikes, the report <a href="https://static.rusi.org/SR-Russian-Air-War-Ukraine-web-final.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">adds</a>.The Gripen's operational cost — including fuel, repairs and maintenance, and personnel — is also lower than that of the US-made F-16, F-18E/F, and F-35; the French-built Rafale; and the European-designed Eurofighter, according to <a href="https://www.key.aero/sites/keyaero/files/comment_forum/2013/08/20/Gripen_operational_cost_lowest_of_all_western_fighters_Janes__0.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">a paper produced</a> for a study commissioned by Saab.<h2>An underdog in limited supply</h2><div type="image" title="Hungarian Air Force JAS-39 Gripen" height="1212" width="1616" msid="95924494" hostid="261" sizebytes="55838"></div>Saab's JAS 39 Gripen was designed largely with Russia in mind. The 4.5th-generation jet can reach Mach 2 and can supercruise, maintaining supersonic speeds without relying on an afterburner.Although the jet has never seen combat, it has <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/nato-alliance-leaders-see-benefit-in-swedish-finnish-fighter-jets-2022-6" target="_blank" rel="noopener">performed very well in exercises</a> against 4th-generation aircraft that are on par with Russia's jets.Nevertheless, it has not been adopted by many countries. Besides Sweden — which uses only the Gripen — the jet's main operators are South Africa, Brazil, and Thailand. Other countries, including India and Indonesia, are also considering the jet.The jet's nemesis seems to be Lockheed Martin's F-35, a fifth-generation fighter. Saab's Gripen is not as advanced as the F-35, as it lacks stealth and other capabilities, but <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/gripen-jet-cant-overcome-us-f35-leverage-saab-ceo-says-2022-10" target="_blank" rel="noopener">the firm's CEO has said that</a> the US's geopolitical clout also creates an uneven playing field when it comes to international fighter-jet competition.<div type="image" title="F-16 JAS 39 Gripen fighter jet" height="863" width="1151" msid="95924496" hostid="261" sizebytes="19196"></div>The Gripen has lost bids to the F-35 in Denmark, Norway, Finland — all neighbors of Sweden — and Poland. It has also lost a number of bids to Lockheed's F-16, a fourth-generation fighter that is widely used around the world.Despite the failed bids, the Swedish jet is <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/nato-alliance-leaders-see-benefit-in-swedish-finnish-fighter-jets-2022-6" target="_blank" rel="noopener">well regarded by aviation experts</a> for being highly capable, relatively easy to use, and inexpensive.The Russian air force's failure to achieve air dominance in Ukraine has made it more cautious, focusing on long-range missile attacks and mostly keeping its aircraft over friendly territory.Therefore, "a few modern Western fighters with long-range missiles able to meet the Russians on technically equal or even superior terms would likely have a disproportionate deterrent effect," the RUSI report says.<div type="image" title="Brazilian Air Force F-39E Gripen" height="1331" width="2000" msid="95924498" hostid="261" sizebytes="74710"></div>Kyiv has shown interest in the Swedish fighter. In <a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2022/10/25/oleksii-reznikov-ukraine-war-russia-weapons-tanks-00063370" target="_blank" rel="noopener">an interview</a> in October, Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov said he was "sure" that acquiring "fighter jets like F-16s, F-15s, or Gripen from Sweden will also be possible" in the future.Stockholm is also increasing its support for Kyiv. It <a href="https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/sweden-promises-287-mln-military-aid-package-ukraine-including-air-defence-2022-11-16/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">recently announced</a> a military aid package worth $287 million, its largest to date, that includes air-defense systems.Yet finding Gripens for Ukraine may not be easy. Producing new jets takes years, meaning any sent to Kyiv will likely have to come from Sweden's own fleet or from those of other countries.The only NATO members that operate the jet are the Czech Republic and Hungary, the latter of which maintains good relations with Russia.Constantine Atlamazoglou works on transatlantic and European security. He holds a master's degree in security studies and European affairs from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy. You can contact him on <a href="https://affiliate.insider.com/?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.linkedin.com%2Fin%2Fconstantine-atlamazoglou&amp;amazonTrackingID=null&amp;site=bi&amp;vikingID=6361621a71518a06bc1f310d&amp;platform=browser&amp;sc=false&amp;disabled=false&amp;sessionID=1666213839364g7wks1lw" target="_blank" title="LinkedIn" rel="nofollow noindex noopener sponsored">LinkedIn</a>.

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