Specifications
Comparing the SAAB Gripen to the F35 makes the Gripen a no-brainer for Canada. Faster to turn around in combat, faster in the air, faster to altitude, cheaper to buy and cheaper to maintain. Add to this that it can land on unprepared runways, and operate in Canada’s north, and any argument for the F35 becomes pure lunacy. The F35 has huge hype and marketing double talk. But the data is clear.
| Specifications | F35 Lightning II | Gripen ‘E’ |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 15.7 meters | 15.2 meters |
| Width | 10.7 meters | 8.6 meters |
| Max Take-off Weight | 19,500 kg | 16,500 kg |
| Max Thrust | 200kN | 98 kN |
| Weapons Hard Points | 11 without stealth – 4 with stealth | 10 |
| Combat Turn-Around Time | 30 – 40 minutes | 10-20 minutes |
| Speed | Mach 1.6 | Low Alt – 1400 km/h – High Alt – Mach 2 |
| Rate of Climb | 45,000 ft/min | 55,000 ft/min |
| Service Ceiling | 50,000 ft | 50,000 ft |
| PURCHASE COST | 78 million USD | 45 million USD |
| Cost per hour to operate | 36,000 USD | 4,700 USD |