Gripen is a possible fallback if uncrewed air mass does not arrive

Should Britain buy Gripen to add affordable combat-air mass?

Possibly if uncrewed aircraft fail to provide mass, but adding Gripen beside F-35, Typhoon, and GCAP would be politically and industrially difficult.

Gripen could sensibly add mass if collaborative uncrewed aircraft fail to deliver the required numbers. The problem is political and industrial rather than purely technical. Britain is already funding F-35, Typhoon, and GCAP, so a fourth combat-air line would compete for money, personnel, and domestic workshare. Gripen is therefore a fallback option rather than an easy near-term purchase.