Gripen NG vs. PAK-FA?

An FOI paper published in August 2012 has a section titled “The importance of fifth-generation aircraft and stealth technology for Swedish defense and security ( Betydelsen av femte generationens flyg- och smygteknik for svensk forsvars- och sakerhetspolitik in Swedish ) ” which argues

” In the future, there are strong reasons for, in simulators with sharp technical details of the fifth-generation performance, eval*uate the performance of the upgraded Gripen system capable of performing their duties in respect of the specified threats as dimensions defense today. No matter how well the system is expected to operate so there is reason to believe that the tactical behavior that our pilots train in today needs to change to address the new threats that arise when the fifth-generation aircraft constituting all or part of an attacker’s fleet. Note that these aircraft can detect Gripen system at considerably greater distances than individual Gripens can detect them. Moreover, they have better maneuverability, better sensor and at least equivalent weapons.

I framtiden finns starka skal for att, i simulatorer med skarpa tekniska uppgifter om femte generationens prestanda, utvardera hur val det uppgraderade Gripensystemet klarar av att utfora sina uppgifter avseende de preciserade hotbilder som dimensionerar forsvaret idag. Oavsett hur val systemet bedoms fungera sa finns skal att tro att det taktiska beteende som vara piloter tranar pa idag behover forandras for att hantera de nya hotbilder som uppstar nar femte generationens flygplan utgor hela eller delar av en angripares flygflotta. Observera att dessa flygplan kan upptacka Gripensystemet pa avsevart storre avstand an vad enskilda Gripar kan upptacka dem. Dessutom har de battre manovrerbarhet, battre sensorsystem och atminstone likvardiga vapen. “

It seems Swedish planners believe JAS-39E Gripens would be able to defeat a Russian invasion force including some PAK-FAs for a “limited period” while acknowledging that “these aircraft can detect Gripen system at considerably greater distances than individual Gripens can detect them.”

What would be Sweden’s force equalizer to compensate for the Gripen’s deficiency in detection/tracking ranges against the PAK-FA?

Google translation of the rest:

Already in late 2010 – or early 2020, chances are that the Swedish defense forces could face fifth-generation aircraft. Since several of these planes destined for export are more countries than the three mentioned countries with its own production skills that may operate fifth-generation aircraft.

During a brief period until about 2030, both Sweden and other Western countries essentially to operate with the upgraded 4.5-generation aircraft as discussed earlier. Gripen system will be in operation at least by 2040.

With regard to our national defense are a number of declassified scenarios for different parts of Sweden are attacked and must be defended or repossessed. For these scenarios are now specific combinations of foreign fighters who are the threats that the Gripen system will be able to resist. Both other combinations of aircraft, other numbers than the adopted, and aircraft with more advanced performance can obviously become sharp threat in the future. At sufficiently large infestation, Sweden can not reasonably resist an enemy for more than a limited period. However, this may be the design for the defense of this respite means that other states can come to Sweden’s help in an attack.

In the future, there are strong reasons for, in simulators with sharp technical details of the fifth-generation performance, evaluate the performance of the upgraded Gripen system capable of performing their duties in respect of the specified threats as dimensions defense today. No matter how well the system is expected to operate so there is reason to believe that the tactical behavior that our pilots train in today needs to change to address the new threats that arise when the fifth-generation aircraft constituting all or part of an attacker’s fleet. Note that these aircraft can detect Gripen system at considerably greater distances than individual Gripens can detect them. Moreover, they have better maneuverability, better sensor and at least equivalent weapons.

The participation in international operations increases reasonably probability of Swedish aircraft will encounter hostile fighter of the fifth generation. In such situations, the above needs of engineering simulation for tactical behavior also need to be developed into a working system for the overall combination of input resources by the various participating countries will be available. This means, specifically, that other countries also develop this type of model-based simulations and studies.

In the longer term, beyond 2030-2040, stands throughout Europe overall air combat capability face major challenges. Newly developed Russian and Chinese fifth-generation fighter has the potential to be significantly more capable than the fighter at that time in Europe. In the absence of a development project that aims to build up its own expertise on the fifth-generation aircraft and stealth technology’s falling on the European industrial capability to maintain an independent defense and security capabilities. This issue will be settled in the near future, within a decade, and will affect all European countries, including Sweden.