Recently Belgium officially became a member of the sixth generation European fighter development program. Sweden is not in a hurry with this step.

What is known

Belgium has received observer status in the Future Combat Air System (FCAS) program led by Germany, France and Spain. There is also a parallel project – the Global Combat Air Program (GCAP). Great Britain, Italy and Japan work here. Sweden is in no hurry to join one of the programs headlong.

The main reason is that the Scandinavian country does not have an urgent need for a new fighter. Sweden has approved the purchase of 60 domestic Saab Gripen E aircraft. They will fly until 2060.

Other countries are experiencing problems with fleet renewal. Aircraft from the UK, Japan and Italy will remain in service until the middle of the next decade. The countries of the FCAS project will be able to build their sixth generation fighter by 2040.

Now Sweden does not seek new purchases. Instead, the country wants to eliminate the problems that hinder the achievement of priority goals. For example, Sweden has already brought under control the shortage of Gripen pilots, due to which the number of flying hours was reduced by 12% annually.

Source: Breaking Defense