NATO member Sweden has announced that it is ready to sell up to 150 advanced Gripen-E fighter jets to Ukraine. This initiative is considered the largest jet supply offer ever made to Ukraine by a NATO country.
NATO member Sweden has announced plans to sell up to 150 Saab Gripen-E fighter jets to Ukraine. This move stands out as the first large-scale fighter jet supply proposal from a NATO country aimed at modernising Kyiv’s ageing air force.
The agreement was formalised through a letter of intent signed on Wednesday between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson. However, the exact cost, delivery dates, and terms of the aircraft have not yet been determined.
According to experts, the Gripen-E model is considered the most suitable aircraft for Ukraine’s wartime conditions. Its low operating cost, ease of maintenance, and ability to take off from highways or dirt runways make it stand out.
Although the first Gripen aircraft were developed in the 1980s, the Gripen-E version was only recently introduced into the Swedish Air Force inventory earlier this month.
Manufacturer Saab describes the single-engine Gripen-E as a “game-changing fighter jet.” The jet can share sensor data over a network, perform coordinated missile launches within a fleet, and is equipped with artificial intelligence-assisted systems.
Analysts emphasise that if the sale goes through, Ukraine’s Air Force will see a significant boost in its defence capabilities, while Sweden’s strategic role within NATO will also be strengthened.
