Sweden and Ukraine have signed a letter of intent for a potential deal to supply up to 150 Gripen E fighter jets to Kyiv over the coming years, just before the EU summit.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson have met in Linköping to view the fighter jets.
“Today we have signed an important Letter of Intent, marking a step towards a massive possible export deal regarding Gripen - likely between 100 and 150 fighter jets, to build a new and very strong Ukrainian Air Force,” Kristersson posted to X.
“President Zelenskyy also got a chance to see first-hand the impressive capabilities of the Gripen fighter. This will strengthen both Ukraine, Sweden and Europe.”
Linköping is the manufacturing hub of defence contractor Saab, which makes the JAS 39 Gripen fighter jet, the GlobalEye surveillance aircraft, missile systems, anti-tank infantry weapons and other equipment.
On X, Zelenskyy said the JAS 39 Gripen aircraft was “one of the most effective elements” when it came to improving Ukraine’s defence capabilities.
Alongside the air defence situation, Zelenskyy said they also spoke about Ukraine’s energy sector.
“Special attention was given to Ukraine’s energy sector, with urgent needs arising from Russia’s ongoing attacks on our energy infrastructure,” he said.
The possibility of Gripens being supplied to Ukraine has been on the table over the past two years, but was put on hold to allow Kyiv to focus on the introduction of American-made F-16 fighters that it began deploying last August.
