Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson announced that as part of bilateral assistance, his country will donate 16 JAS 39 Gripen C/D fighters to Kiev. At the same time, Stockholm approved the purchase of another 20 such E/F aircraft for Ukraine under the EU loan mechanism to support Ukraine. Stockholm will also allocate an aid package for Kiev in the amount of USD 2.7 billion. (approx. PLN 10 million).
— This is a truly historic event, a historic day for our cooperation, for our countries. Today we have a new support package from Sweden. This support opens up a new level of protection for the lives of our citizens, in defense of our cities, in defense of our communities. In today's package worth $2.7 billion. (approx. PLN 10 million) there are various elements, said Zelensky.
He added that it provides, among others: allocation of almost USD 400 million. (approx. PLN 1.5 billion) for the production of drones. At the same time, Zelensky and Kristersson signed a declaration on deepening defense cooperation between countries at a military base in Sweden.
“We are preparing a large defense package for Ukraine and a significant step regarding Gripen fighters, which will certainly increase the effectiveness of our combat aviation,” wrote Volodymyr Zelensky on Telegram in the morning, before the meeting with the Swedish Prime Minister.
He added that he had planned meetings with Ulf Kristersson, and the delegation would also include representatives of the Swedish defense industry.
At the beginning of May, information appeared that the Minister of Defense of Ukraine, Mykhailo Fedorov, held talks in Sweden regarding increasing aid for Ukraine. In particular, Gripen fighters were mentioned.
