Ukrainian President and Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristerson signed a letter of intent today in Linkoping for the purchase from Kiev of 100 to 150 Gripen fighter jets of the latest generation.
The letter is about “a long-term cooperation in the field of air defense and the possibility of a very large contract in the defense industry,” Christerson said in a hangar at the city’s airport, which is home to the headquarters of Saab defense group, maker of the Gripen.
Manufacture and delivery
“Probably 100 to 150 Gripen E fighter jets are starting to be built now, to create a strong new Ukrainian air force,” the Swedish prime minister said, flanked by the Ukrainian president.
The delivery of the first aircraft could take place “within three years”, according to the Swedish prime minister.
President Volodymyr Zelensky, for his part, said that Ukraine aims to receive and start using Swedish Gripen fighters next year. “For our military, the Gripens are a priority,” he told a joint press conference with Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristerson during a visit to Linköping.
The Ukrainian president also stated that Ukraine is interested in joint production of drones with the Swedish Saab.
The two leaders met for talks in Linköping in southern Sweden and visited Saab, which is the manufacturer of the JAS 39 Gripen fighter, the GlobalEye surveillance aircraft.
Last year, Sweden suspended plans to send Gripen fighter jets to Ukraine, responding to a request from partner countries to prioritize US F-16s.
