The Swedish government announced the 17th military support package to Ukraine on Monday worth 4.6 billion kronor (about $440 million) and for the first time Saab Gripen fighter jets were included, albeit indirectly.
The country has already expressed its desire to donate Gripen C and D fighter jets to the Ukrainian Air Force, but the plan has been put on hold while pilots and ground personnel familiarize themselves with the F-16.
“At the moment, transferring JAS Gripen to Ukraine is not a viable option, as it would interfere with the prioritized introduction of F-16 fighters. However, in parallel the Swedish Government is continuing its efforts to establish conditions for a possible future support of JAS 39 Gripen fighters to Ukraine,” the statement said.
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Sweden’s way of preparing the ground for future Gripen operations was to allocate half of the package to the acquisition of material parts that are currently being used in the manufacture of new Gripen E/F.
“By acquiring new material parts, a number of JAS 39C/D will be saved from being dismantled and can – if the Swedish government decides so – be considered for a possible future donation to Ukraine,” the government added.
The Swedish Air Force has around 70 Gripen C and 23 Gripen D (two-seater) fighters and is close to putting into service the more modern and capable Gripen E variant.
Ukraine, on the other hand, received its first F-16s donated by Denmark in July, which saw action the following month to defend the country against Russian attacks.
However, one of the fighters crashed under circumstances that are still unclear. The pilot was killed.
