The Hungarian experience with Gripen fighter aircraft. Issue 2 (3rd April 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zsolt, Lazar
• Is Part Of: Defense and security analysis. Volume 34:Issue 2(2018)
• Page Start: 161
• Page End: 175
• Publication Date: 2018-04-03
• Subjects: Gripen -- Hungary -- military expenditure -- defence planning -- defence procurement -- operational potential -- transparency; Military art and science -- Periodicals; Armed Forces -- Periodicals; Military policy -- Periodicals; National security -- Periodicals; World politics -- Periodicals; 355
• DOI: 10.1080/14751798.2018.1478180
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1475-1798

Abstract

ABSTRACT: The post-communist countries transition from the Warsaw Pact style of platforms and systems to Western-compatible capabilities has never been an easy task or a process without conflicts. This was no different for the Visegrád countries either, in which case the Hungarian Gripen procurement stands out. After much debate, Budapest decided to modernize its fighter fleet with the not battle tested Swedish-made Gripen fighter aircraft. This decision received several critiques due to the lack of transparency in the selection process and the initial lack of NATO-required systems. Subsequently, the fleet has had to operate in a financially demanding environment. Moreover, the air force has lost two aircrafts in accidents. Now that the jets are in the middle of their envisaged life cycle, it is more than appropriate to answer the question if the Gripens can utilize their full combat potential or will they fail the test of time?