Ukraine and a major fighter jet manufacturer come with “bad news for the Russians.” What they are preparing with the similar model F-35
An agreement on Ukraine's purchase of Gripen fighter jets, made by Sweden's Saab group, could be signed in a few months, Ukrainian Defense Minister Mihailo Fedorov said on Thursday during a visit to Stockholm, according to Reuters.
The two countries signed a letter of intent last year under which Sweden could supply Ukraine with up to 150 Gripen fighter jets.
With the first deliveries estimated three years after any deal is finalized, these fighter jets are considered a priority for Ukraine's fighter jet fleet, but there have been questions about funding, Agerpres notes.
“We have our plan on how to finance it,” Ukrainian Minister Mihailo Fedorov said.
“I think in a few months it will be good news for your country, for our country and bad news for the Russians,” Fedorov said in a joint press conference with his Swedish counterpart, Pal Jonson.
Jonson told Reuters after the news conference that negotiations were going well and did not rule out a deal this year for Saab's Gripen fighter jet, seen as a cost-effective alternative to Lockheed Martin's F-35.
The Swedish minister also said that part of the 80 billion Swedish kroner ($8.70 billion) that has been set aside in the government budget for aid to Ukraine in 2026 and the following year could be used to help finance the deal.
“We are also talking to other countries about what they could contribute. It could be, for example, training or weapons systems,” Jonson added.
