Ukraine could buy up to 150 Gripen fighter jets from Sweden
The two countries have signed a letter of intent paving the way for a ‘very large defence industry deal’
Ukraine could buy up to 150 Gripen fighter jets, Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said Wednesday after the signing of a letter of intent on stepping up aviation cooperation between the two countries.
Speaking alongside Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at a press conference, Kristersson said the letter of intent would create the conditions for a “very large defence industry deal”.
“Probably somewhere between 100 and 150 fighter jets of the model Gripen E that are now beginning to be made,” he said, adding the deal could have a 10- to 15-year timeline.
Kristersson said the signing of the letter of intent was “the start of a long journey”.
The letter of intent did not provide specific dates and specified that it was of a non-binding nature, but Kristersson said he expected the first planes could be delivered to Ukraine “within three years” if everything went to plan.
“The Gripen is a priority for our army,” Zelensky said.
