Recently, a picture of what kind of Western fighter jets can be transferred to Ukraine is finally emerging. In addition to the American F-16s, the first units of which will arrive in the summer, Ukraine will receive the Mirage 2000-5 from France: President Emmanuel Macron announced the delivery of the first series of aircraft, as well as the start of the training of attack pilots and mechanics. Gripen aircraft also remain on the agenda, although Sweden has temporarily put their transfer plan on hold to allow the coalition to focus on the F-16. "Word is deed" compared the characteristics of these three fighters.
American F-16 , the French Dassault Mirage 2000 and the Swedish Saab JAS 39 Gripen are fourth-generation fighters.
The F-16 was developed by General Dynamics back in 1978 and is the most massive fighter of the fourth generation. According to Flight Global-2023, it is in service with 25 countries in the world (most fighters in the USA, Turkey and Israel) and several more countries are waiting for delivery.
Mirage 2000s were adopted in 1984 . In addition to France, the aircraft was adopted by the Air Force of Greece, Egypt, India, Qatar, China, Peru, UAE.
The Swedish Gripen aircraft is the newest compared to the F-16 and Mirage – it was adopted by Sweden in 1996. It is also operated by Hungary, the Czech Republic, Great Britain, Brazil, South Africa and Thailand.
American and French fighters are designed for one pilot, Swedish – for one or two. The highest speed can be developed by Mirage 2000-5 – up to 2,695 km/h, while the F-16 – up to 2,410 km/h, and Gripen – up to 2,130 km/h.
The longest flight range of an American aircraft – 4,220 km. Mirage 2000-5 can cover a distance of 3,335 km, Gripen – 3,200 km.
The combat radius of French fighters is 1,550 km, Swedish – 1,300 km, American – 550 km.
The F-16 aircraft is the heaviest of all three – 9,470 kg (maximum take-off weight is 19,200 kg). Empty Mirage 2000-5 weighs 7,257 kg (maximum take-off weight – 16,500 kg), Gripen – 6,800 kg (maximum take-off weight – 14,300 kg).
The most important thing for fighters is, of course, weapons. The F-16 is a versatile aircraft and can carry both air-to-air and air-to-surface missiles. The aircraft's built-in armament consists of a 20-mm six-barreled M61A1 Vulcan gun (511 rounds of ammunition). In addition, the fighter has 9 points of external suspension.
The French Mirage 2000-5 is armed with two 30 mm DEFA 554 guns (250 rounds). They also have 9 external suspension points. At the same time, the main armament of the aircraft – air-to-air class.
Swedish Gripens are armed with a 27 mm Mauser BK-27 gun and, in addition, have 10 points of armament suspension. The aircraft can use a wide arsenal of weapons, including air-to-air missiles; and “air-to-ground”, aerial bombs of various calibers.