
Ukraine picks Gripen, Rafale, and F-16 to anchor its air power
Ukraine’s Air Force has narrowed its future to three Western fighters—the F-16, Gripen, and Rafale—building on existing F-16s and Mirage 2000s, with the Gripen highlighted for its low-infrastructure requirements and ability to operate from rough fields or even roads in about 15–20 minutes; officials stress that the jets are only part of a wider system, requiring weapons, ground support, parts, and trained personnel to arrive together as Ukraine and its allies adapt through experience and ongoing training.













