Video summary

JAS39E Gripen: Still Worth the Grind in 2026?

Main summary

Key takeaways

Gaming

Storyline / Context

  • The video doesn’t present a narrative storyline. Instead, it frames the JAS39E Gripen as a top-tier “grind target” in War Thunder and evaluates whether it remains competitive in 2026.
  • It places the Gripen E in an increasingly difficult top-tier meta, dominated by jets with strong avionics and heavy missile loads.

Gameplay Role & What the Gripen E Is

  • Purpose in the tech tree: Sweden’s current top-tier fighter at BR 14.3 (end of the Swedish air tree).
  • General role: A modern multirole aircraft—intended to stay effective across BVR, close-range, and mixed engagements, rather than specializing in only one style.

Key Gameplay Highlights (What the Video Emphasizes)

1) Avionics / Situational Awareness (Core Strength)

  • PS-05 AESA radar (I-band) with:
    • Track while scan
    • Wide scan angle, helping maintain locks in scenarios like notching by “looking sideways”
  • IRST + HMD capability for additional engagement flexibility
  • RWR (Radar Warning Receiver):
    • Detects bands C through J
    • Provides directional indication/identification plus track and launch warnings
  • MAW (Missile Approach Warning):
    • Detects approaching missiles (radar and IR)
    • Can automatically deploy countermeasures
  • The Gripen’s survivability is supported by large countermeasure capacity via ball pods:
    • 720 countermeasures, enabling auto-deploy during fights without running out quickly

2) Weapons / Missile Loadout

  • Up to 7 active radar-homing missiles:
    • RB 99 (AIM-120A)
    • AIM-120C-5 AMRAAM (improved) as an RB 99 variant/load option
  • Close-range options:
    • RB 74M (AIM-9M) with IRCCM
  • Close-in defense:
    • 27 mm cannon with 120 rounds
  • Overall claim: the AMRAAM + AIM-9M mix supports most playstyles, from BVR to closer engagements.

3) Flight / Handling Feel

The Gripen is described as:

  • Easy to fly effectively
  • Comfortable in slower energy fights later in matches
  • Able to leverage nose authority and energy due to strong engines and canards

The emphasis is that you can use multiple playstyles, not only a “missile bus” or “light close fighter” approach.

Strategies / How to Use It (As Discussed)

  • Play cautiously early:
    • Use the radar + Fox-3 missiles for BVR engagements first
  • Shift more aggressive later:
    • As fewer aircraft remain, leverage the Gripen’s flexibility for closer/mixed situations
  • Exploit information dominance:
    • Use RWR + MAW + radar together to understand the fight quickly, react to missile threats, and choose engagements based on positioning
  • Use the countermeasure system smartly:
    • With MAW auto-countermeasures and a high countermeasure count, the Gripen can keep defending under multi-direction missile pressure

Weaknesses / Matchmaking Risks

  • The main issue isn’t the aircraft’s kit—it’s the BR 14.3 environment in 2026:
    • Top-tier matchmaking includes very capable 14.7 opponents
    • Many competitors can bring:
      • Larger missile payloads (more missiles per fight)
      • Tools that can outperform the Gripen in certain areas
  • Example framing of threats:
    • Su-30SM2 and some F-15 variants may win via missile attrition (throwing more shots at you)
  • The video also notes the Gripen E does not dominate flight performance the way earlier Gripens did at their respective BRs.

Comparisons to Other Jets (Summary of Claims)

  • Versus Rafale:
    • Gripen may have an edge in radar performance
    • Both have strong awareness tools (RWR/MAW-like systems)
    • Rafale’s MICA is highlighted as very dangerous in close engagements compared to Gripen’s typical AMRAAM behavior
  • Versus Eurofighter (Typhoon):
    • Gripen may lose slightly in missile capacity (Typhoon can carry one extra missile) and raw flight performance
    • Eurofighter is characterized as one of the strongest overall
  • Versus Su-30SM2:
    • Su-30 relies on missile count and brute-force capability
    • Gripen’s counterplay is flexibility—winning through positioning and correct timing of tools

Pros / Cons (As Stated)

Pros

  • Excellent AESA radar
  • Strong situational awareness (RWR/MAW)
  • Effective Fox-3 missile loadout
  • Flexible multirole gameplay

Cons

  • Extremely competitive matchmaking
  • Some opponents carry larger missile payloads
  • Some jets can outperform it in specific categories
  • No longer the standout “king of flight performance” like earlier Gripens at earlier BRs

Final Verdict: Is It Worth the Grind in 2026?

  • The video concludes yes, in the creator’s opinion:
    • The Gripen E is framed as one of the most complete and most fun top-tier fighters to perform consistently well in.
  • Caveat:
    • It’s not claimed to be the outright best jet overall—just unusually well-balanced and enjoyable.

Gamers / Sources Featured

  • No specific gamer names or external sources are featured in the subtitles.

Original video