Ukraine has appealed to the Swedish government to expedite the training of Ukrainian pilots on modern Swedish Gripen fighters. This was announced by Defense Minister Denys Shmyhal during a meeting with his Swedish counterpart in Stockholm.
This is reported by Kyiv24
Prospects for a Major Gripen Deal
During the negotiations, the Ukrainian side expressed its readiness to promptly send personnel to participate in training programs in Sweden. Sweden and Ukraine are currently engaged in active consultations regarding the financing of a large-scale deal, which may involve the purchase of up to 150 Gripen fighters by Ukraine.
According to Swedish Defense Minister Pål Jonson, part of the costs for the deal may be covered by military aid. Additionally, various financial mechanisms are being considered, including export credits, the use of frozen Russian assets, and special support programs for Ukraine, which will amount to 40 billion kronor in 2025 and the same amount in 2027.
“Funding is moving forward, and we are closely cooperating with the Ukrainian side,” said Pål Jonson, adding that Ukraine’s ability to finance the aircraft from its budget after the war will be a central part of the deal, but there are other ways. “We can consider export credits, frozen Russian assets, and our aid system for Ukraine, which amounts to 40 billion kronor next year and 40 billion in 2027.”
The deal has already been presented to the “coalition of the willing” – a group of 16 European countries, some of which may join in financing the purchase. Jonson noted that countries producing individual components for the Gripen system may also be interested in supporting such cooperation.
Delivery Timelines and Pilot Training
On October 22, 2024, Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson announced that a declaration of intent had been signed regarding the future sale of 100 to 150 of the latest series E Gripen fighters to Kyiv. He emphasized that this is just the beginning of a long-term cooperation expected to last 10 to 15 years.
At the same time, Kristersson stressed that the issue of transferring the first aircraft to Ukraine in 2026 has not yet been resolved, as allies agreed not to introduce two types of combat aircraft into the Armed Forces of Ukraine simultaneously during the war, to avoid complicating training and maintenance processes.
In contrast, President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that part of the 150 promised Gripen fighters may arrive in Ukraine as early as 2025.
Last year, the President’s Office reported on the uniqueness of the security package with Sweden, which includes the transfer of specialized ASC 890 aircraft, as well as the possibility of receiving JAS 39 Gripen with training for Ukrainian pilots. In August 2024, Ukrainian military personnel began testing Swedish fighters.
Since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale aggression, Ukraine has repeatedly appealed to Western partners for modern fighter jets. In 2023, several countries, having received permission from the United States, agreed to transfer F-16 aircraft to Kyiv. The first such fighters arrived in Ukraine and were showcased during the celebrations for the Air Force Day of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on August 4, 2024.