[IndianChief]

How does the Gripen perform at high altitude airfields? I have seen a video where a Gripen brakes to a stop in a very short distance, reverses and turns around on its own and does an extremely impressive short take-off.

Can it replicate this in Leh and Arunachal/Sikkim, with full loads ? If so, a few squadrons with small airstrips in the mountains may seem a very good idea.

[sukhoi-30mki]

The Gripen-NG supposedly passed the high-altitude tests held at Leh. I don’t think any aircraft in the competition could take off wih a full load in the Himalayas; the demands on the engine are too high even with a full-size runway. Which is why four of the aircraft failed initial trials at Leh.