A Forgotten Battle Exposes Why Canada Might Want the JAS 39 Gripen over F-35

By Reuben Johnson – 19fortyfive

Air forces equipped with Western fighter aircraft frequently conduct exercises among multiple friendly or allied nations. The chances for these pilots to engage with pilots flying aircraft of Russian or Chinese origin, however, are rare.

One of those rare occurrences took place in November 2015 and saw Russian-made Sukhoi Su-27SK/J-11A aircraft of the People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) train with the 701 Fighter Squadron of the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF). The Thai squadron operated eight Saab JAS-39C and four JAS-39D Gripens.