Brazil Considers F-16 Purchase Amid Economic Constraints on Expanding Gripen Fleet

 Brazil is in discussions with the U.S. to potentially acquire 24 Lockheed Martin F-16 Fighting Falcons, following Argentina's recent deal for used F-16 fighters. A top Brazilian official informed Janes in June that the Brazilian Air Force (FAB) aims to make a decision by the end of 2024. While this has not been confirmed by BulgarianMilitary.com, it aligns with the FAB’s strategy to replace its aging aircraft.

This development is unexpected, given Brazil’s 2014 agreement with Swedish company Saab for 36 Gripen E/F fighters, valued at $5.04 billion, with deliveries expected by 2027. This contract was expanded in 2022 to include four additional jets, bringing the total to 40.

Defense Minister José Múcio, speaking at the LAAD Defense and Security event in Rio de Janeiro, mentioned that the FAB needs more Gripen fighters and is considering this option. However, economic constraints are pushing the FAB to look for more cost-effective alternatives to replace its old Mirage and AMX jets. The FAB originally planned to nearly double its Gripen fleet but is now considering cheaper options due to financial limitations.

With the AMX fleet scheduled to retire by the end of 2025 and not enough Gripens to cover the gap, the FAB is exploring the acquisition of used F-16s. Brazil previously attempted to buy F-16s from the U.S. in the early 2000s, but the deal fell through. In 2002, the U.S. offered Brazil advanced F-16s along with AMRAAM medium-range air-to-air missiles, the first such offer to a Latin American country.

At that time, the Pentagon’s policy was to avoid introducing advanced technology to the region to prevent military imbalances and arms races. However, the offer was made in response to Peru acquiring Russian BVRAAMs. Brazil, looking to update its Mirage III jets, considered several options, including the Dassault Rafale, Boeing’s F/A-18 Super Hornet, and Saab’s Gripen NG, ultimately opting against the F-16.

The discussion of acquiring second-hand F-16s has resurfaced. Despite lacking the advanced features of the Gripen-E/F, the F-16 remains a proven and versatile fighter jet, widely used globally.

The Gripen E/F offers advanced avionics, sensor fusion technology, and a state-of-the-art electronic warfare suite, providing superior situational awareness and threat detection capabilities compared to older F-16 models. Its AESA radar offers greater range, better target tracking, and improved resistance to jamming. The Gripen E/F also boasts better fuel efficiency, extended range, and a modern digital cockpit with enhanced pilot interfaces, surpassing the older F-16 designs.

Additionally, the Gripen E/F’s open architecture design allows for easier upgrades and integration of new technologies, ensuring it remains at the forefront of advancements in avionics, weapons systems, and software, a flexibility not as prevalent in older F-16 models.

Sweden Donates AEW&C Aircraft to Ukraine, Enhancing F-16 Capabilities Amid Threats from Russian MiG-31BM

In a major and unexpected move, Sweden has announced it will supply Ukraine with two Saab 340 airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft as part of a new SEK 13.3 billion ($1.25 billion) military aid package. This aid marks Sweden's largest support package to date, aiming to bolster collective air defense capabilities. The announcement came on May 29, when the Swedish government detailed its "Military Support Package 16," with the Saab 340 AEW&C aircraft, also known as the S 100D Argus or ASC 890, being the central component.

The Swedish Ministry of Defense stated that these aircraft would provide Ukraine with a new capability for airborne radar reconnaissance and combat control against air and sea targets, significantly enhancing Kyiv's long-range detection and targeting abilities. Equipped with advanced Erieye radars based on Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) technology, these aircraft will revolutionize Ukraine’s surveillance capabilities.

Currently, the Swedish Air Force operates only two of these sophisticated surveillance planes. The aid package indicates that one or both of these planes will be transferred to Kyiv, temporarily reducing Sweden’s AEW&C capability. To address this, Stockholm will expedite the acquisition of an additional Saab GlobalEye platform and accelerate the delivery of two units already on order, with the first new aircraft expected by 2027.

Sweden’s Minister of Defense, Pal Jonson, noted that sending the planes followed intensive discussions with coalition countries and emphasized that the ASC 890 aircraft would significantly bolster Ukrainian air defense. These advanced aircraft will complement the F-16 fighter jets to be supplied by Belgium, Denmark, Norway, and the Netherlands, forming a robust air force coalition for Ukraine. The timeline for the delivery of the ASC 890 aircraft has not been specified.

AEW&C Aircraft for Ukraine

The deployment of these AEW&C aircraft holds significant strategic value. They offer extensive overhead surveillance, crucial for detecting low-flying threats like Russian drones and cruise missiles that often evade conventional radar systems. The Saab 340 AEW&C will play a vital role in coordinating F-16 fighter operations by detecting, prioritizing, and guiding targets for interception, thus enhancing Ukraine's defense posture.

Valerii Romanenko, a leading researcher at the National Aviation University of Ukraine, emphasized the transformative impact of these aircraft, highlighting their ability to unlock the full potential of the multi-role F-16 fighters. The Saab 340’s integration with the NATO-standard Link 16 datalink communications system ensures seamless coordination with allied air defense systems, providing a comprehensive air defense picture and targeting data to compatible systems both airborne and on the ground.

Russian Threats and AEW&C Vulnerability

Despite their operational advantages, AEW&C systems are vulnerable to hostile actions. Earlier this year, the Russian Air Force lost two Beriev A-50 AWACS planes to Ukrainian missile attacks, underscoring the strategic importance and susceptibility of these aircraft. The Saab 340 AEW&C, with a detection range of up to 450 km, would need to operate within Ukrainian airspace to be effective, making them targets for Russian MiG-31BM and Su-57 fighters armed with R-37 air-to-air missiles, which have a range of 300 kilometers.

While the MiG-31BM presents a detectable threat, the Su-57’s advanced stealth capabilities pose a significant detection challenge. Additionally, the R-37M missiles are exceedingly difficult to evade. The Mikoyan MiG-31BM interceptors near the Russia-Ukraine border extend the threat radius across Ukrainian airspace, often forcing Ukrainian fighter pilots to abort missions. The relatively slower and less agile Saab 340 is more vulnerable compared to the four-engine A-50, which can reach higher speeds and altitudes.

Conclusion

The introduction of Saab 340 AEW&C aircraft to Ukraine’s military will significantly enhance its surveillance and defense capabilities. However, these gains come with increased vulnerability to advanced Russian fighter jets and missile systems. The balance of power in the region will be closely monitored as these developments unfold. 

Thailand's Fighter Jet Decision: Boeing F-16, SAAB Gripen, or Korean FA-50?

 Thailand is considering acquiring a new fourth-generation fighter aircraft, with options including the Boeing F-16 and SAAB Gripen. Now, the South Korean contractor Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) has thrown its hat into the ring, proposing its FA-50 light fighter aircraft to the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF).

KAI's proposal comes in response to an informal request for proposals (RFP) from the RTAF, aiming to replace aging Lockheed Martin F-16A/Bs. While the FA-50 offers advanced capabilities at a lower cost and with timely delivery, the RTAF had initially shown interest in fifth-generation F-35 Lightning II aircraft.

The FA-50, an export success for KAI, boasts features such as Tactical Data Link and Precision Guided Munitions. It has been actively deployed by the Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) since 2013 and has garnered significant orders from countries like Poland and Malaysia.

Despite initial interest in the F-35, the RTAF aims to bolster its air power with potent fighter jets. The competition now includes the F-16 Block 70/72 Viper and SAAB Gripen-E, both offering advanced capabilities in their generation.

With the entry of the FA-50 into the contest, the RTAF faces a three-way decision, potentially reshaping its evaluation process and strategic considerations.