Gripen C/D

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A not so recent report disclosed that the Department of National Defense is inclined to adopt the Gripen as its multi-role fighter. But it seems that this fighter jet may just leave the Philippine Air Force wanting.

Let's do some simple math. The EEZ per UNCLOS is within 200 nautical miles or about 370 kilometers extending from the island baseline. If the subject Gripen on a mission is to proceed on a straight path from a land base to the edge of the EEZ and vice-versa, it will spend 740 kilometers of its combat radius. It is noted that the published combat radius of the subject Gripen is 800 kilometers. As such, the Gripen will be left with 60 kilometers in fuel for actual combat and evasive maneuver. Barring other variables and assuming that it is flying at the speed of 1500 kilometers per hour, it has about 2.5 minutes to do its thing. If it goes beyond 60 kilometers, or if it loitered longer than 2.5 minutes, it could literally fall off the sky anytime, while en route back to its base. While the use of external tank is an available option, there must be a  proportional cut on weapon's payload to accommodate the extra fuel that should extend its range. Consequently, however, its ability to render offensive and defensive fire will be limited, directly affecting survivability.

The figures roughly suggest that the Gripen may not be that capable after all in relation to the mission that it is intended to accomplish at the Philippine EEZ. Though there are some tactical solutions for this glaring handicap, such as; operating in tandem with another Gripen, both having an external or conformal tank, to compensate for fewer unit weapons, utilization of long-range BVR ordnance, and to shoot and scoot fast. However, these are not the only characteristic of an effective interceptor. The mission may most of the time involve and demand, fast and extended interdiction maneuvers, aerial harassment, and actual close quarter engagement at any point from intruder's entry to its exit from territorial or sovereign boundaries. 

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