Piroschka Van De Wouw/REUTERS
- Ukraine and Sweden signed a letter of intent to export up to 150 Gripen fighter jets to Kyiv.
- The development on Wednesday brings Ukraine closer to obtaining the fourth-generation JAS 39 Gripen.
- The fighter jet has long been considered the ideal aircraft for Ukraine to battle Russia.
Ukraine just got a lot closer to acquiring the Swedish-made Gripen, a much sought-after fighter jet built for war with Russia.
Ukraine and Sweden signed a letter of intent on Wednesday to export up to 150 JAS 39 Gripen E fighter jets to Kyiv, a major potential arms acquisition that would dramatically help modernize the country's air force.
The Ukrainian Air Force primarily operates a fleet of aging Soviet-designed aircraft, though it has gradually acquired Western fighters, including the American-made F-16 and the French Mirage.
The Gripen, manufactured by Swedish aerospace and defense giant Saab, is widely regarded as an ideal fighter jet for Ukraine. The jet is designed to operate from austere airstrips, requires minimal maintenance, and was built to fight and survive against Russian-style threats.
Given the demands of the war, including dispersed air operations, these jets could serve as a new backbone for Ukraine's rapidly changing air force.
Pål Jonson, Sweden's defense minister, said Ukraine has asked for 100-150 Gripens, specifically the E variant of the aircraft. Stockholm only recently received the first batch of these planes. These jets represent a new-generation upgrade with a range of higher-end capabilities, including electronic warfare, a more powerful engine, and increased weapons capacity.
The Gripen E is considered a fourth-generation-plus aircraft that would advance Ukraine's air force. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he expects to receive the first Gripens as early as next year.
However, at an estimated $85 million apiece, funding for the fighter jets remains unclear.
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