Sweden is open to supplying the latest version of Gripen fighter jets to Ukraine, but deliveries would only occur once the war with Russia ends, Defense Minister Pål Jonson told Breaking Defense.
Jonson said Ukraine has expressed interest in the Gripen E, now operated by Sweden and Brazil.
He emphasized that any potential acquisition “depends” on the war in Ukraine ending and that the deal “must be a long-term development.”
While Gripen E deliveries would come only after the war, Jonson added that Sweden is “open to discussing” the potential donation of older Gripen C/D aircraft to Ukraine. He noted that he raised the issue with his Ukrainian counterpart during a visit to Kyiv last week.
Ukraine has long sought these older jets to counter Moscow, but those requests have so far been unsuccessful.
On Tuesday, Mattias Rådström, head of media relations at Gripen manufacturer Saab, said: “Saab would of course fully support Sweden in such an endeavour with Ukraine and in the suitability of Gripen E for Ukrainian needs. We believe there is no better fighter for the role.”
RELEASE: Saab Offers Gripen E to Switzerland. https://t.co/ZHaVgLW2x6 pic.twitter.com/xmYM682A2W
— Saab (@Saab) January 25, 2019
According to Saab, the Gripen E can conduct air-to-air, air-to-surface, and reconnaissance missions. It is capable of carrying up to seven Meteor Beyond Visual Range missiles and two IRIS-T Within Visual Range missiles, enabling it to detect, engage, and destroy targets effectively.
