The purchase of fighter jets involves enormous sums of money but also builds on assessments of the seller's long-term position in the geopolitical world order.
Already, President Donald Trump's policy – with more aggression towards NATO, threats of tariffs, and more Russia-friendly rhetoric – has prompted Europe to invest in its own armament.
Portugal has begun to doubt its decision to purchase F-35 and is considering instead choosing European alternatives.
In Switzerland, there is pressure in parliament to reconsider the country's F-35 purchase.
Canada's defense minister said on Friday that parts of the country's planned F-35 fleet may be replaced with fighter jets manufactured in Europe, writes Dagens industri.
Lost in the Final Round
This could revive interest in the Jas Gripen project, a collaboration between Swedish Saab and British BAE, which was rejected by Canada in the previous procurement's final round.
Also, in countries such as Finland, Norway, and Denmark, Gripen has lost to F-35.
Interest may also increase for the same-European fighter jet Eurofighter Typhoon and the French Rafale Dassault.
In several countries, there is also concern that the USA, even after deliveries, holds components required to keep the planes in combat-ready condition.
Dependent on the USA
Trump, for example, believes that Greenland should belong to the USA and does not rule out military means to achieve this – while Denmark's air defense is built on F-35.
Robert Limmergård, secretary-general of the industry organization Säkerhets- och försvarsföretagen, tells Dagens industri that Swedish defense companies are very competitive, and that Sweden has strong defense policy credibility.
There is a mutual American-European dependence in various fields, but particularly in the area of semiconductors and sensors, European companies are dependent on technology from the USA.
Much of what is purchased is software-based and builds on digital capabilities. This means that one is dependent on upgrades and maintenance from the company that delivers the systems, says Limmergård.
Sweden has used all previous versions of Jas Gripen and has placed an order with Saab for series production of 60 Gripen E, the latest generation of fighter jets.
Brazil has ordered 36 Gripen E.
South Africa previously purchased 28 Gripen planes.
Thailand has purchased 12 Gripen, and the country's air force has expressed a desire to buy more to replace American F-16 planes that have been in service since 1988.
The Czech Republic is renting 14 Gripen planes – twelve single-seat Gripen C and two two-seat Gripen D – from Sweden, and the contract has been extended until 2027.
Hungary rented 14 planes – twelve Gripen C and two Gripen D – which were later purchased. An agreement was signed last year to purchase an additional four Gripen C.
