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The Quest for Relevant Air Power

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322 │ Swedish <strong>Air</strong> Force<br />

Courtesy Gripen International; photo by Frans Dely<br />

ASC 890 Erieye airborne early warning and control aircraft escorted by<br />

Gripen fighter aircraft<br />

JAS 39C/D Gripens are not being equipped with the Taras, the<br />

latest Swedish fighter link, but with the NATO interoperable<br />

Link-16 terminal MIDS. 231 Furthermore, the aircraft are receiving<br />

a NATO-compatible IFF. 232 This necessity <strong>for</strong> interoperability on a<br />

technological level was backed by the highest Swedish decision<br />

makers. As such the 2004–5 defence bill argues that Swedish networkbased<br />

defence developments were to be coordinated with international<br />

developments. 233<br />

Since a network-based defence depends upon control of the<br />

electromagnetic spectrum, the SwAF also made ef<strong>for</strong>ts to retain<br />

its expertise in airborne standoff jamming. For this purpose, 10<br />

two-seat Viggens were modified into dedicated electronic warfare<br />

plat<strong>for</strong>ms in the late 1990s. <strong>The</strong>se so-called SK 37E Viggens were<br />

phased out in mid-2007. As a next step, the JAS 39D Gripen might<br />

be further developed into an electronic warfare plat<strong>for</strong>m. Yet the<br />

project does not have the highest priority <strong>for</strong> the SwAF. 234 Against<br />

the backdrop of European shortfalls in airborne standoff jamming,<br />

however, the SwAF potentially could gain significant leverage<br />

through its long-standing experience in this area. <strong>The</strong> SwAF<br />

also uses the electromagnetic spectrum as a means <strong>for</strong> intelligence

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