Military pilot Vladimir Popov believes that the transfer of Swedish JAS 39 Gripen fighter jets to the Ukrainian army will not help Kiev change the situation.
According to Popov, Sweden would be the main beneficiary of such deliveries. He argued that the aircraft would effectively be tested in real combat conditions, allowing the Swedish side to identify technical nuances, prepare a new model or modernization, and then conduct further checks based on practical shortcomings.
Comparing the Gripen with Russian Su-35, Su-30SM and MiG-35 fighters, Popov said Russian aircraft have the advantage in key parameters. Pilot training, in his view, is also an important factor. He noted that Russian pilots know their aircraft well and operate from familiar airfields.
As for Ukraine, Popov said it would be extremely difficult for it to quickly integrate Western fighter jets. Mastering modern aviation equipment takes time, and even an experienced pilot may need more than a year to learn to fly such an aircraft properly.
He also pointed out that the Ukrainian Air Force has long faced a shortage of qualified personnel. For this reason, Popov believes the transfer of Swedish jets is mainly political and is intended to demonstrate support for Kiev.