Sweden has agreed to sell at least 100 of its Gripen fighter jets to Ukraine.
Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, whose country is a new NATO ally, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed a letter of intent on Wednesday approving the sale of the Swedish-made military aircraft.
The deal comes as Ukraine continues to fight off a three years-long invasion from Russia. Analysts at the International Institute for Strategic Studies predict that the war will continue to escalate after this year’s failed attempts between Russia, Ukraine—and its backers in NATO and the U.S.—to reach a ceasefire.
“…We have the first document signed between our countries, paving the way for Ukraine to acquire a substantial fleet of Swedish-made fighter jets—Gripens,” Kristersson stated in a Ukrainian news release about the aircraft sale. “And these are great aircraft, strong aviation platforms capable of performing a wide range of missions. Everyone can see what threats they help counter.”
Ukraine expects it will receive at least 100 Saab Gripen-Es, and CNN reported that the country could receive as many as 150 of the fourth-generation fighter jets. It aims to achieve “first tangible results” for the aircraft transfer and training next year, though additional details on costs and delivery dates have yet to be reported.
“This will help build a very strong Air Force in Ukraine, which will become part of the large family of fighter jets,” Kristersson said. “This agreement is a clear mutual statement of intent and the beginning of a long journey for the next 10-15 years. There are long-term ambitions.”
The two leaders also met with Marcus Wallenberg, chairman of Swedish aerospace and defense company Saab AB, in Linköping along with the company’s CEO, Micael Johansson.
“Our country counts on a strategic partnership with the company in developing a modern Air Force,” the Ukrainian news release stated. “According to Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Ukraine needs the Gripens greatly, as they are easy to maintain, capable of performing a wide range of missions, and can operate from short runways.”
