The J 35A Draken is a second-generation Swedish jet fighter that was manufactured by SAAB from 1955 until 1974. This legendary aircraft had its maiden flight in 1955 and was designed to replace the aging J 29 Tunnan and J 32 Lansen as an all-weather fighter-interceptor. Further, the Draken was the first West European jet fighter to breach the sound barrier and is well known for its very unique looks and shape. In War Thunder, this unique aircraft is a premium jet fighter that used to be in the Swedish air tree but has since been removed to only appear on special occasions. It was introduced with the update “Direct Hit”.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Access to 4 RB24 air-to-air missiles (Swedish AIM-9Bs) | No access to any countermeasures while often facing missiles |
| Good acceleration with a high top speed giving it great climb performance | Lack of a Radar Warning Receiver |
| Superior maneuverability at all speeds | Bleeds energy quickly due its delta wing configuration |
| 30mm are hard hitting and have a high rate of fire | Cannon velocity is rather low with a very limited amount of ammunition (100 rounds per gun) |
| Low stall speed, giving it great dogfighting capabilities | Pulling too hard at lower speed might cause an unrecoverable flat spin (super stall) |
Flight Performance
The J 35A is powered by the “Svenska Flygmotor RM6B”. This afterburning axial-flow turbojet engine gives the plane a great power-to-weight ratio and therefore amazing acceleration, which allows it to quickly gain altitude and speed. The Draken has overall great maneuverability due to its delta wing design, it allows the plane to stay as stable at low speeds as it does when being above Mach. However, because of its shape, the plane is in danger of getting into an unrecoverable flat spin, a so-called super stall, when pulling very high angles of attack at low speed.
The plane does not feature any kind of combat or landing flaps and only has an air brake to help slow down the aircraft for landing. In addition to that, it features a drogue chute to make it slow down faster on the runway.
Armaments
As internal guns, the Draken features 2x Akan m/55 30mm wing-mounted cannons, both of which have 100 rounds in total. These cannons have a rather slow velocity and need some time to get used to, but can deal with most targets very easily.
The ballistics of this aircraft’s cannons are hard to master, in order to first get a feeling for them, it is best to use the default or air target belt. Both belts feature great destructive power in a short burst and tracers to more closely observe the bullets trajectory. Once familiar with the ballistic trajectory of the weaponry, it is recommended to switch to the Draken’s secret weapon, the stealth belt. This belt is composed of only AP and HEI bullets and does not possess tracer bullets, it is great at taking quick care of opponents and, when used right, can catch them completely off guard. This belt is great at taking out the enemy before they even realize you are there and also makes it harder for the enemy to adjust their flying based on you firing.
The ground target belt is, as the name suggests, most effective against ground targets, more specifically lightly armored tanks. It can penetrate many vehicles from above and deal significant damage to those, however, this belt is fairly ineffective against aircraft of any type and should not be used to fight other planes.
| Belt Type | Belt Composition |
| Default | AP-T · AP · HEI · AP · HEI |
| Air targets | AP-T · HEI · HEI · HEI · HEI |
| Ground targets | AP-T · AP · AP · AP · AP |
| Stealth | AP · HEI · AP · HEI |
For missiles, the Draken can mount 4x RB24 heat-seeking missiles, which are mounted at the belly and wings of the plane. These missiles are Swedish license-built AIM-9B Sidewinders and therefore carry the same characteristics. The caged seeker with a rather poor top speed of Mach 1.7 forces you to get rather close directly behind the enemy to get a good lock. Nonetheless, the RB24 missile is able to deal with most targets easily in 1 hit due to its big warhead. Alternatively, there is also an option to replace the 2 belly-mounted missiles with a 510-liter drop tank.
Furthermore, the JA35A can carry a total of 12 m/56D rockets with 6 mounted under each wing. These rockets give the plane some limited CAS capability due to its HEAT warhead with 500mm of penetration. It is rather hard to aim these rockets as the plane does not have CCIP but once you figured it out, they are able to disable most vehicles with 1 hit.
Note: Custom Loadouts are available for this aircraft.
Usage in Battles
In the following segment, I am going to give you a short explanation of how to play your Draken. Please keep in mind that this isn’t some “ultimate guide” and more of a baseline for you to have an easier time learning and understanding the aircraft’s play style, your matchmaking and experience may vary.
Realistic Battles
In Realistic Battles, the Draken is a formidable yet vulnerable aircraft, requiring careful tactics to maximize its potential. Due to the absence of an RWR and countermeasures, the pilot must adopt a passive, observant approach before committing to any actions. The most effective strategy involves climbing to high altitudes and flanking behind enemy lines, descending onto unsuspecting opponents. Utilizing the radar briefly to scan for threats at similar altitudes is advisable, though it should be turned off promptly to avoid detection by enemy RWR systems. Before initiating any maneuvers, the pilot should assess the match-up and identify key threats, especially aircraft equipped with radar-guided missiles. Notable adversaries include the MiG-21S, F3H-2, F-8E (FN), and F-4C Phantom, all of which pose a significant risk to the Draken.
Once positioned behind enemy lines, the pilot should first deploy RB24 missiles against unaware targets. This reduces drag and helps to thin out enemy forces. After expending the missiles, the Draken’s capabilities shine in 1v1 dogfights. Its strong power-to-weight ratio, low stall speed, rapid acceleration, and exceptional maneuverability give it a decisive edge in prolonged engagements. The pilot can leverage these advantages to outlast opponents and secure a kill with the aircraft’s cannons. For added effectiveness, particularly after mastering the weapon’s ballistics, switching to stealth belts is recommended to catch enemies off guard.
Simulator Battles
In Simulator Battles, the Draken is more challenging to master but highly rewarding once the pilot becomes proficient. Success hinges on surprising enemies rather than engaging in direct confrontations, where the Draken is at a disadvantage. The pilot should use the radar, which includes an Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) function, to locate targets and close in until visual contact is established. At that point, the radar should be turned off to avoid detection. Approaching from below or behind—where visibility is limited for the enemy—is the most effective tactic. Once in range and in a favorable position, the pilot can fire an RB24 missile or engage with the aircraft’s 30 mm cannons. Stealth belts are particularly useful, allowing the pilot to remain undetected until landing a decisive hit.
In dogfights, the Draken retains its strengths from Realistic Battles: excellent maneuverability, acceleration, and a strong power-to-weight ratio. However, due to the limited cockpit visibility and the nature of Simulator controls, effective dogfighting requires more experience and precision. The pilot should only engage in close combat when confident in their ability to outmaneuver the opponent. For optimal control, the Stability Augmentation System (SAS) should be set to damping mode, which smooths out the Draken’s handling and minimizes the risk of entering a super stall. To enable this feature, the pilot must assign a keybind to the “Toggle SAS Mode” option in the Full-Real controls tab.
